Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors Program
We know that it can be unsettling to learn that your child has a tumor. The nationally ranked Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center is home to one of the nation’s largest programs for children with bone and soft tissue tumors. Our experts are renowned for their expertise in treating tumors and saving children’s limbs.
Your child receives care at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, one of the top children’s hospitals in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. More than 93% of families who receive care here recommend us to their family and friends.
What Are Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors?
Not all bone or soft tissue tumors are cancerous (malignant). However, even noncancerous (benign) tumors may require treatment because they can grow and damage healthy bone.
- Bone tumors are masses of abnormal tissue that form inside or outside of bones.
- Soft tissue tumors are masses that develop in muscles, fat, nerves, blood vessels and joints.
Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors Program: Why Choose Us
It can be upsetting to learn that your child has a tumor, even if it’s not cancerous. We specialize in procedures that safeguard your child’s health and quality of life. Your family benefits from:
- Personalized care plan: Not all bone or soft tissue tumors require orthopedic surgery. Our bone and soft tissue tumor experts partner with specialists at our Cancer and Blood Disease Institute to develop the most effective treatment plan for your child’s unique needs.
- Advanced treatments: We’re known for our expertise in preserving as much bone, tissue and joint as possible. Our limb salvage procedures include implantable endoprostheses and complex Van Nes rotationplasty. Learn more about our bone and soft tissue tumors treatments.
- On-site rehabilitation: The Peterson Rehabilitation Center provides dedicated inpatient therapy to speed postsurgical recovery and mobility. Our center is one of the largest of its kind in the country. Our experts help your child quickly regain movement and mobility.
- Health-protective diagnostic tests: We use a low-dose radiation X-ray imaging system called EOS to plan treatment and monitor your child’s recovery. This system minimizes your child’s exposure to harmful radiation. We were the first medical center in Los Angeles County to make this system available to children.
- Dedicated team of experts: In addition to orthopedic and cancer experts, your child also receives care from specialists in plastic surgery and general surgery when needed.
- Specialty care centers: After surgery, your child may receive follow-up care at one of our many specialty care centers. We have centers conveniently located throughout the county.
- Access to new treatments: Our doctors are actively involved in finding new ways to treat tumors while improving outcomes and reducing side effects. Your child might benefit from treatments available through one of the hundreds of clinical research studies taking place at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles each year.
Cancerous Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors We Treat
Bone and soft tissue cancers require expert treatment to remove the tumors while preserving healthy bone. We treat all cancer types, including:
- Ewing sarcoma: This bone and soft tissue cancer affects the legs, arms, pelvis, ribs and spine.
- Osteosarcoma: The most common form of bone cancer, osteosarcoma typically develops in long bones in the arms or legs.
- Soft tissue sarcomas: These rare soft tissue cancers form in muscles, fat, nerves and blood vessels. Rhabdomyosarcoma (cancer of the muscle) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma that affects children.
Noncancerous Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors We Treat
Treatments for benign bone and soft tissue tumors protect healthy bone near the tumor. We treat:
- Osteochondromas: These noncancerous bone tumors form at the ends of bones that are still growing. These tumors tend to get bigger as a child grows. Osteochondromas are the most common benign bone tumor diagnosed in children.
- Benign soft tissue tumors: Most soft tissue tumors in children are not cancer. We treat all types, including fibromas, lipomas and vascular malformations.
- Bone cysts: A common noncancerous bone tumor, bone cysts create fluid-filled pockets inside bone. Bone cysts can weaken bone, increasing the risk of fracture.
- Chondroblastoma: This rare noncancerous tumor forms on the ends of thigh, shin or arm bones. Chondroblastoma tumors destroy surrounding bone, causing pain during movement and at rest.
- Chondromas: These noncancerous soft tissue tumors are made of cartilage. Chondromas often form on small bones in a child’s hand, feet, upper arm or thigh.
- Osteoblastoma: This noncancerous bone tumor forms in a child’s spine or legs. Osteoblastoma destroys healthy bone.
Research and New Therapies
Our doctors are dedicated to finding new ways to treat bone and soft tissue tumors while improving outcomes and reducing side effects for children. Your child may be able to try promising new treatments through some of the hundreds of clinical research studies we participate in every year.
As leaders in the field, we’re actively involved in the following international and national organizations to advance research into pediatric bone and soft tissue cancers:
