Yeditepe University Hospitals Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Koray Başdelioğlu answered the questions about bone and soft tissue tumor biopsy. 

Bone and soft tissue tumors originate from "soft tissues" such as muscles, nerves, adipose tissue, and vessels in our body and tissues such as bone, cartilage, and joints. Bone and soft tissue tumors can occur at any age, although they predominantly die in childhood and adulthood. If bone and soft tissue tumors that manifest themselves as palpable swelling in different parts of the body is thought to be malignant, a biopsy procedure is performed.

What is a Biopsy?

A biopsy is a process of taking a piece from a mass in the body that is thought to be suspicious of cancer by open or closed methods. Mostly, this procedure is performed closed with the help of a thin needle. The piece is taken under ultrasound, scopy, or tomography guidance depending on the location of the mass and the tissue it originates from, and sent to the pathology department for evaluation.

In Which Cases and When Is Biopsy Performed in Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors?

A biopsy is performed when a mass in the body is suspected to be malignant. In order to perform a biopsy, the person must be evaluated in detail with history, physical examination, and necessary radiological examinations. As a result of these evaluations, it is clarified whether a biopsy is necessary. If a biopsy is deemed necessary, detailed biopsy planning should be made, which is very important for the process, such as which method and where the sample will be taken from the mass.

Why is Biopsy Important?

With a biopsy, the actual diagnosis of the tumor is made as a result of the evaluation of the piece taken from a possible malignant tumor. In other words, the tumor is named. This is a particularly important stage that determines how the next approach to the tumor will be. It is the very first step, so to speak. Therefore, a biopsy is particularly important. 

Who Should Perform Biopsy in Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors?

A biopsy is a particularly important procedure that directly affects the treatment and the results of the treatment and is subject to certain rules that must be strictly followed. Mistakes made at this stage can cause irreversible consequences. For this reason, the biopsy procedure should be performed by a physician who can perform the patient's subsequent surgery and is experienced in orthopedic oncology.

How Does the Process Progress After the Biopsy Stage in Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors?

While some tumors are sensitive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, others may be insensitive. After the diagnosis is clarified with a biopsy, the treatment process begins by revealing the answers to very important questions for the patient such as whether surgery should be performed first or first chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and then surgery, and which drugs should be used in chemotherapy.