The Musculoskeletal Oncology Service was established in 1980. This service manages all bone and soft-tissue tumors, benign and malignant, primary, recurrent and metastatic as well as tumor-like conditions of bone. UCLA has been a pioneer in the development of limb-sparing surgical strategies for both malignant bone and soft-tissue sarcomas. It has one of the largest series of metal implants (endoprostheses) for bone tumors and resections for soft-tissue sarcomas.
All cases are reviewed and discussed by a Multidisciplinary Musculoskeletal Tumor Board. This review board was conceived in 1991 and it was the first interdisciplinary panel focusing on a specific topic at UCLA. Diagnoses are confirmed and neoadjuvant treatments using chemotherapy and or radiation therapy are considered and discussed. All radiographic studies are reviewed and the locations of tumors are precisely defined prior treatment. Surgical biopsies are reviewed by pathology as are all the surgical specimens after definitive surgical procedures. Additional adjuvant treatments are recommended if thought to be in the patient's best interest. The goal in dealing with malignant bone and soft tissue-tumors of the musculoskeletal system is to save both the life and limb, while maximizing the function of the limb. CT-guided needle biopsies are preferred for diagnosis and can usually be done the day of the consultation, under sedation if necessary. Infants, children, adolescents, and adults are all eligible for evaluation and treatment. Tumors involving the hand and the spine are routinely managed along with members of the Hand and Spine services. Surgical resections are done by orthopaedic oncologists and when indicated by a multidisciplinary team that could include surgical oncologists, vascular surgeons, neurosurgeons, thoracic surgeons, urologists and plastic surgeons.
Members of this multidisciplinary tumor board include five orthopaedic oncologists, chairman Dr. Brooke Crawford, Dr. Nicholas Bernthal, as well two surgical oncologists, two pathologists specializing in bone and soft-tissue tumors, three musculoskeletal radiologists, a radiation oncologist, a thoracic surgical oncologist and three medical and one pediatric oncologist.
Bernthal, Nicholas MD
Interim Chair and Executive Medical Director
Chief of Musculoskeletal Oncology Service
Crawford, Brooke M. MD
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Eilber, Fritz MD
Department of Surgical Oncology
Eilber, Fred MD
Department of Surgical Oncology
Federman, Noah MD
Department of Surgical Oncology
Margaret Regan-Rainey, PA
Physician Assistant
Phone: (310) 319-1234
Fax: (424) 259-6560
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