Musculoskeletal Tumor Program
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Orthopaedics Referrals
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Finding out your child has a musculoskeletal tumor is a life-altering moment, and we deeply understand the weight of it. CHOC’s Musculoskeletal Tumor Program brings together a dedicated team of specialists — including oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, plastic surgeons, physical therapists, nurses and child life experts — to support your family every step of the way. Our goal is simple: to help your child get back to being a kid.
As part of the nationally recognized Hyundai Cancer Institute and Orthopaedic Institute at CHOC, the Musculoskeletal Tumor Program provides expert, compassionate hands from diagnosis through recovery and beyond. We tailor each treatment plan to fit your child’s unique needs, whether they’re dealing with a non-cancerous or cancerous bone or soft tissue tumor.
In addition to top-tier medical care, we also provide support programs designed to address the social, emotional and educational needs of your child and family. With CHOC, you don’t only receive medical care —you gain a team of dedicated partners committed to your child’s well-being today, tomorrow and for a lifetime ahead.
Treating Musculoskeletal Tumors at CHOC
Treating pediatric musculoskeletal tumors is different for every child. To help us choose the best approach to treatment, our team will look at the type of tumor, its size and location, your child’s overall health and other important factors. Throughout the process, we will keep you informed and involved, offering support and guidance for your entire family.
We offer many treatments for musculoskeletal tumors, including surgical and non-surgical, depending on your child’s specific case and tumor type.
- Noninvasive Treatments: Whenever possible, we focus on noninvasive treatments for tumors, which don’t involve surgery. These might include regular monitoring, using medication to target the growth without an operation or treatments using imaging and interventional radiology such as radiofrequency ablation.
- Surgery: Sometimes, surgery is necessary to remove a tumor, especially if it’s causing pain or could spread. In some cases, plastic surgery or limb salvage surgery may be recommended to improve how well the affected area works and looks, whether it’s an arm, leg or another part of the body. The CHOC Orthopaedic Institute will work to treat your child with the latest treatments, striving for limb salvage when possible, and using technologies that allow for growing implants or preserving the growth plates.
- Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy: For cancerous (malignant) tumors, chemotherapy or radiation therapy might be used to shrink the tumor before surgery or to target any remaining cancer cells after surgery.
Our goal is to keep your family informed, prepared and comfortable. So, while no two experiences in the Musculoskeletal Tumor Program will be the same, we can offer a general idea of the typical patient journey.
Here is a breakdown of what you can typically expect as a patient:
Initial Consultation
The first formal step with our team will be the initial consultation, which we make every effort to schedule within 48 hours of referral. During this in-person meeting, we’ll take the time to get to know your family and learn about your child’s symptoms, medical history and concerns. This time is all about building a relationship of trust and understanding.
Diagnosis
After the initial consultation, our team will conduct a thorough assessment to formally diagnose your child’s condition. This might involve a series of tests, including imaging studies like X-rays or MRIs, as well as in-house pathology and radiology services to ensure an accurate and timely diagnosis.
Treatment
Once a diagnosis is confirmed, we’ll develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your child’s specific needs. Our multidisciplinary team — including orthopedic surgeons, oncologists and physical therapists — will work closely together to ensure that your child receives the best possible care.
Recovery
After treatment, our focus shifts to your child’s recovery. Physical therapy and rehabilitation services may play a key role in helping your child regain strength, mobility and independence. Our child life specialists and psychologists are also here to support your family’s emotional well-being now and into the future.
Follow-Up
Follow-up appointments are essential to monitor your child’s progress and address any ongoing needs. These visits allow us to ensure that the treatment was successful and to catch any potential issues early.
Why Choose CHOC for Musculoskeletal Tumor Care?
CHOC’s musculoskeletal tumor specialists are nationally recognized as medical and surgical experts in pediatric solid tumors. From diagnosis to recovery, you’ll work with the same team, making sure your child gets consistent and compassionate care every step of the way.
Dr. Amirhossein Misaghi, pediatric orthopaedic oncologist, treats both non-cancerous and cancerous bone and soft tissue tumors, along with other conditions such as limb deformities. As part of the Hyundai Cancer Institute’s Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma Treatment Program, Dr. Misaghi works with a team of specialists to provide personalized care for each child.
CHOC offers many services to support your child’s treatment, including quick and accurate diagnoses with in-house pathology and radiology, advanced surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Our physical therapists, psychologists, child life specialists and oncology nurses also work together to help your child regain strength and mobility while caring for their overall physical and emotional well-being.
Meet the Team
Get to know our multidisciplinary team of nationally recognized medical and surgical experts who treat musculoskeletal tumors in children:
