Making Breakthroughs in Musculoskeletal Cancer Care
Orthopedic oncology can boost quality of life for cancer patients.
CANCER TREATMENTS CONTINUE TO ADVANCE, prolonging life for many patients well beyond prognoses of years past, even with metastasis to the bone.
“ When we can intervene before a patient has a skeletalrelated event, patients tend to live longer and their quality of life is improved,” says Babe Westlake, DO, orthopedic oncologist at Renown Health.“ For instance, if you have a cancer that spreads to the femur, we can put a rod in the femur before it breaks, because we know morbidity goes way up and life expectancy goes way down after a fracture happens.”
The first orthopedic oncologist in northern Nevada, Dr. Westlake provides leading-edge care for patients with metastatic cancer, as well as patients with sarcomas and other musculoskeletal tumors.
“ I am the only provider in the area treating metastatic disease of the pelvis with minimally invasive techniques, including radio frequency ablation and percutaneous screw replacement,” Dr. Westlake says.“ These surgeries are done through small incisions, and patients don’ t have to stop other treatments to get them. We can take a patient who’ s essentially wheelchair-bound from pelvic and hip pain and get them walking again.”
Multidisciplinary Team Care Dr. Westlake treats patients of all ages, from children to older adults. However, all patients are also followed by a multidisciplinary team to ensure each has the best treatment plan.
“ Cancer care should be a team effort,” Dr. Westlake says.“ If you’ re only seeing one provider for your cancer, then you may be missing out on other treatment possibilities. At Renown Health, patients get a multidisciplinary team where all options are discussed both amongst a multidisciplinary tumor board and with the patient.”
Patients with known metastatic bone cancer should not delay seeing an orthopedic oncologist for fracture prevention and a better quality of life.
“ It’ s best to see me early when you first get diagnosed with metastatic cancer to the bones,” Dr. Westlake says.“ Even if I don’ t recommend surgery, I can offer important counseling and connect patients with other services to help. Metastatic cancer weakens the bone, and it is far better for patients to seek care early and prevent a fracture rather than reacting if a fracture actually occurs.”
To refer patients to Dr. Westlake, call 775-982-6270 or fax 775-982-6271.
BENIGN TUMOR TREATMENT
Many common soft tissue and bone tumors are benign, but that doesn’ t mean they should be ignored.
“ Even small benign tumors can cause pain or other problems,” says Babe Westlake, DO, orthopedic oncologist at Renown Health.“ Providers shouldn’ t ignore lumps and bumps. Patients should always be evaluated by somebody who’ s trained in musculoskeletal tumors, even for lipomas or small bone cysts.”
Babe Westlake, DO
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