What is a Tumor ?
Medically, any swelling that occurs in the body is called a tumor. This includes malignant, as well as benign tumors. The spread of internal organ cancers, which we call metastases, to the bones is also a tumor.
What is Orthopaedic Oncology ?
Orthopedic oncology; It is a branch of science that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of tumors of the arms and legs, which we call the extremities, and tumors of the hip region, which we call the pelvis. Orthopedic oncology requires years of extra training and discipline on top of a standard orthopedic education.
What Are The Symptoms of Tumor ?
Tumors often develop silently. In benign tumors, this process is longer and spreads over years, while in malignant tumors, there is a shorter process that can be expressed in months. Often the first symptom is swelling. The swelling may be progressive. However, there may be no pain at all. In this case, the patient should immediately consult a specialist. If it progresses, it may cause pain by pressing on vessels or nerves. This condition is usually seen in the last stages.
How Can We Understad If There İs a Tumor In Our Body ?
In order to understand this, one has to observe his or her body from time to time. In the presence of a tumor, an asymmetry usually occurs in the body. In the case of a tumor in an area such as the back, where the person cannot observe himself, his or her relative's observation is usually the case, and in such a case, the person should immediately consult a specialist.
How To Diagnose a Tumor ?
Tumor diagnosis requires advanced expertise. For this, detailed information is obtained from the patient and the patient is examined. It starts with questions such as how long the mass has existed, whether it has progressed, whether there is pain. After this part, which we call anamnesis, imaging methods should be started.
Which İmagening Methods for Diagnosis of a Tumor ?
Simple x-rays are very important in the diagnosis of bone tumors and may be sufficient when evaluated correctly. However, MRI should be performed in soft tissue tumors that are thought to be malignant. MR should have contrast and be of sufficient quality. Otherwise, the patient has to have an MRI again. Computed tomography is also used from time to time in bone tumors. In addition, bone scintigraphy is also important if a bone scan is desired or to understand whether the tumor has spread to other bones. PET, on the other hand, is a very special imaging method and has no place for patients who have not yet been diagnosed.
What Is a Biopsy?
Biopsy is very important in the diagnosis of some tumors. If the doctor who will take the biopsy and the pathologist who will evaluate it have sufficient experience, the procedure is done closed with a special biopsy needle. This process is much easier, cheaper and faster. If the biopsy is to be performed openly, there will be a higher probability of the mass spreading to the surrounding tissues. We take biopsy especially in masses that are suspected to be malignant. Ideally, the surgeon who will take the biopsy should also be the surgeon who will perform the surgery. Otherwise, an incorrectly performed biopsy may cause the patient's limb, even death.
Who is Required to Have Biopsy ?
Patients who have tumor with suspicion of malignancy require a biopsy
How is a Tumor Treated ?
Accurate tratment can only be done with accurate diagnosis. Main point of tratment is very well planned surgery. This surgery can sometimes be done simply, or it can be in the form of heavy and complex operations that require the involvement of other branches such as vascular surgeon, plastic surgeon, spine surgeon and general surgery. However, the orthopedic oncologist should be at the beginning of the work and manage the whole process correctly. Otherwise, the patient may lose his limb or life.
What is a Methastasis ? Who Can Get Methastasis?
Metastasis; It is a condition in which cancer that occurs in internal organs such as lungs, stomach, breast or pancreas also appears in the bones over time. Most of the time they are very malignant lesions. The patient has severe bone pain that occurs in 1-2 months. A metastasized bone can fracture spontaneously. He must be operated on. With the operation, the patient's pain disappears almost completely and the patient starts to regain his mobility within a few days.

Metastases are most common in the hip and arm bones. The spine can also be severely affected by the process. The treatment of spinal metastases is done together with the spine surgeon. Selected cases can be treated only with radiation therapy, which we call radiotherapy, without surgery.
What Should a Person Diagnosed with Tumor Pay Attention to ?
Such a patient should be followed by a single doctor if possible and should act together with him. He should not interrupt his controls and should stay under the follow-up of his doctor for years whether the mass is malignant or not. This process often takes more than 10 years.
What can a Tumor Patient Expect After a Surgery ?
Wound problems may develop depending on the size of the operation. Infection of the wound, especially in the early period, can cause serious consequences. This may be even more pronounced in patients who have received radiotherapy. In such a case, the surgeon acts together with the infectious diseases specialist and the plastic surgeon. In addition, recurrence may develop in malignant tumors, advanced cases, and sometimes even benign tumors. This is an undesirable situation. That's why follow-up is so important. Relapse should be caught as early as possible and treated correctly. Otherwise, the consequences can be very severe. A well-planned and correctly operated patient recovers in a few days and returns to his daily life.