Orthopaedic Oncology Service

Members of the Orthopaedic Oncology Service are pioneers in the areas of transplantation in limb sparing procedures and complex pelvic and spine surgery for malignant bone and soft tissue tumors. The Orthopaedic Oncology Service has been under the direction of Dr. Francis J. Hornicek, Service Chief, for more than ten years.

Orthopaedic Oncology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology Services, and the members of Pathology and Radiology form the Center of Sarcoma and Connective Tissue Oncology, offering specialized multidisciplinary patient care. As part of the MGH Cancer Center, it provides comprehensive care for children and adults with bone and soft tissue tumors and is a regional, national and international referral center for these complex tumors. Drs. Kevin Raskin, Dempsey Springfield, Joseph Schwab, and Francis Hornicek continue to enhance their clinical service with additional passions including orthopaedic research and medical student and resident education. Drs. Francis Hornicek and Zhenfeng Duan run the Molecular Sarcoma Laboratory and have ongoing multiple collaborative efforts to study tumor multidrug resistance and develop novel drugs to treat cancer. They have NIH funding and are working to bring their discoveries to Phase I clinical trials for cancer patients. The clinical service has increased its surgical time and is bringing in more complex cases from around the world. Novel methods for treating large primary tumors of the axial skeleton attract these patients, who are managed in a strong multidisciplinary fashion.

The Musculoskeletal Tumor Fellowship, one of the most sought-after in the country, brings together members of Beth Israel Deaconess, Boston Children’s Hospital, and the MGH to develop an undisputed world-class fellowship program. The fellowship has been in place for about 30 years and has trained doctors globally. The Orthopaedic Oncology group has a truly impressive past, a highly productive present, and a bright future that includes innovation in many areas!