Bone and soft tissue tumours are rare, requiring specialist services to diagnose and treat. Dr Guzman is part of a multi-disciplinary team of globally renowned specialists trained in the management of bone and soft tissue tumours.
Surgical expertise
Dr Guzman has highly specialised training and expertise in orthopaedic oncology and offers services to adults and children with benign and malignant bone and soft tissue tumours. Dr Guzman is one of only a few orthopaedic surgeons in New South Wales with expertise in the surgical management of patients with bone and soft tissue tumours. He gained his skills in the management of patients with orthopaedic oncology during his fellowship at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust in London (UK). This is the largest orthopaedic hospital in the UK, and it has been at the cutting edge of orthopaedic care for over 100 years.
Dr Guzman is a member of the expert, multi-disciplinary team at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital who provide diagnoses, advice and care for patients with bone and soft tissue tumours. This multi-disciplinary team includes specialist orthopaedic surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and clinical nurse consultants who are focused on providing the highest quality of care to each individual patient.
Tumours
Benign Tumours
Benign tumours aren’t usually life threatening, however, can understandably be concerning and cause symptoms such as pain, weakness and altered sensation.
The management of benign tumours depends on the type of tumour, the level of symptoms you experience and the risk of damage the tumour may cause to underlying structures.
Malignant Tumours
Malignant tumours are very serious can occur in isolation or can spread elsewhere in the body. These tumours can invade and destroy adjacent tissue.
Malignant tumours can occur in the bones or in any soft tissue, such as muscles or fat. They are a rare form of cancer and are usually treated using a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.
When should you see your General Practitioner?
Unfortunately, tumours can go unnoticed and undiagnosed for a long time because there often aren't any symptoms in the early stages. It is important you visit your General Practitioner if you have any signs or symptoms that are concerning you. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Swelling in one area that does not go away
- Pain in an area that is not connected to an injury and persists
- A lump or mass under the skin
Your General Practitioner may send you for an x-ray or further imaging and then refer you to Dr Guzman for his specialist opinion and management.
Treatment of Tumours
Dr Guzman will provide monitoring and/or surgical treatment of a tumour as required.
In some cases, a biopsy of the tumour will be required to accurately determine the type of tumour and provide a diagnosis. Some types of tumours will require surgical removal while others can be left and monitored with regular imaging.
Surgical management depends on the type and location of the tumour, being specifically tailored to the patient. This may include, but is not limited to:
- Excision of the tumour
- Curettage or removal of the tumour within a bone
- Cryotherapy which involves freezing any remaining tumour cells with the use of liquid nitrogen
- Bone grafting the area removed to fill any defects in the remaining bone
- Cementation using structural material to maintain the strength of the bone
- Plating or fixation of the affected bone to provide structural support
- Endoprosthesis or replacement of the affected bone
- Customised 3D Printing and replacement of the affected bone
Dr Guzman is one of only a few surgeons in Australia who has specialist training in this area. He can work beside you to help you achieve the best possible outcome during this often difficult time.
Dr Maurice Guzman consults from the RPAH Medical Centre and the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.
For more information, or to book an appointment, contact us here.