Orthopaedic Oncology in Perth

Orthopaedic oncology in Perth with Dr Rhys Clark, part of the state sarcoma team at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital — bone and soft tissue tumours, lipomas and metastatic bone disease.

Written by Dr Rhys Clark, orthopaedic surgeon FRACS, FAOrthA Last reviewed

Dr Rhys Clark’s work extends beyond joint replacement into orthopaedic oncology — the treatment of tumours affecting bone and soft tissue. This ranges from benign conditions such as lipomas, nerve tumours and myxomas through to sarcomas and metastatic bone disease.

He is part of the state sarcoma team based at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, a multidisciplinary department that brings together orthopaedic, plastic, general and vascular surgeons alongside radiologists, medical and radiation oncologists, pathologists and specialised nurses.

Areas covered

Orthopaedic oncology — sarcomas and other tumours of bone and soft tissue, including the diagnostic pathway from referral through imaging and biopsy.

Lipoma — benign fatty lumps, how they are distinguished from liposarcoma, and when removal is worth considering.

Metastatic disease — cancer that has spread to bone, and how treatment is planned alongside your oncology team.

Most lumps referred for assessment turn out to be benign. What matters is getting an accurate diagnosis quickly, so you know what you are dealing with and what the options are.

What is orthopaedic oncology?+

It is the surgical treatment of tumours affecting bone and soft tissue — muscle, nerve, fat and related tissues. This covers benign lesions such as lipomas, myxomas and schwannomas, malignant tumours such as sarcomas, and cancer that has spread to bone from elsewhere in the body.

Is Dr Rhys Clark part of a sarcoma team?+

Yes. Dr Clark works within the state sarcoma team based at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. The team includes other orthopaedic surgeons alongside plastic, general and vascular surgeons, radiologists, medical and radiation oncologists, pathologists and specialised nurses.

I have found a lump — what should I do?+

Have it assessed. Most lumps turn out to be benign, but it is important that the necessary tests and imaging are done quickly so an accurate diagnosis can be made. Once the diagnosis is confirmed you will be told what it is, how it is likely to behave, and what the treatment options are.

Are most bone and soft tissue lumps cancerous?+

No. Patients are usually referred with a lump or an unusual appearance on an X-ray, and the vast majority of these lesions turn out to be benign. A smaller number are more serious and are picked up through further imaging or biopsy.

Considering treatment?

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