Bone & Spine Metastasis Program

Overview

We provide personalized, multidisciplinary, team-oriented care for patients whose cancer has spread (metastasized) to their bones. Metastatic cancer, or metastases, is cancer that has spread to a part of your body different from where the cancer started. When cancer spreads to bone it can cause pain, loss of joint motion, difficulty walking, and even fracture, which can disrupt many activities of daily life.

Our goals are to improve and protect our patients’ quality of life through expert management of bone metastases. Our specialists are committed to providing innovative, compassionate care to patients and their families as they strive to live well despite the challenging diagnosis of metastatic cancer.

Unique Program to Provide Team-Oriented Care

• Our program ‘has no walls’. We provide timely in-person care as well as virtual care, which is important if you are in pain or have limited mobility.
• We streamline the consultation process and ensure that your clinical care is provided by sub-specialist(s) most closely associated with your specific needs.
• We aim to make treatment decisions promptly, to provide you with efficient and high-quality care, and to communicate well with both you and your existing oncology team.
• We welcome patients from throughout New England and beyond.
• We do not replace your existing oncology team. Instead, we join that team and provide expert multi-disciplinary care for the unique problems that can be caused by bone metastases.

How Does Metastatic Disease Develop?

Metastases occur when cancer cells from your original (primary) tumor enter your bloodstream or lymphatic system and spread to a new area where they settle and grow. When this happens in bone, it can cause symptoms such as pain, trouble walking, nerve compression, or fracture.

Who is this Program Designed For?

Patients with any type of cancer that has spread to bone can receive care from our team. We care for patients with prostate cancer, breast cancer, multiple myeloma, lymphoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer and others.

Some patients have symptoms or a fracture already. Other patients haven’t developed those problems, but their existing oncology team is worried that they will. We welcome referrals for help with any of these situations, regardless of whether or not you have previously received care within our local Mass General Brigham network.

Program Logistics

Once we receive your referral, we will reach out to you and your existing oncology team. We strive to reach out to you the same day you contact us. We will then schedule you to be seen as soon as possible either in-person or by virtual visit. Meanwhile, our team will carefully review your medical details and relevant imaging in preparation for your visit. You will be seen by the sub-specialist(s) with skills relevant to your personal treatment plan based on your specific symptoms and medical details. We place a high priority on scheduling visits as soon as possible as we sometimes need to take urgent action to prevent a fracture.

Innovative Multidisciplinary Approach

Our multidisciplinary team evaluates your medical details, symptoms, exam, and imaging. We take ownership of your unique bone-centered problem, help you understand all management options, and make a plan that can address your problem. With our patient-centered care, you can expect:

• Coordinated evaluation by bone/spine-focused sub-specialists
• Surgical, radiation, and image-guided treatments
• Scheduling within one week
• Ongoing communication with your existing oncology team; we work together!

The bone specialists in this program are both clinicians and researchers who investigate: (a) how metastases differ from original tumors at the molecular and genetic level; (b) why some types of cancer aggressively spread more so than others; and (c) the best treatment options which differ from the original treatment plan.

Clinical Trials

Mass General Cancer Center is a leader in patient-oriented research relevant to cancer care. Important categories of ongoing research are:

• Patient-reported outcomes for patients undergoing spine surgery and/or radiation
• Clinical trials using targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and other innovative approaches to the treatment of cancer
• Radiation oncology techniques, science, and outcomes

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I already have to be a Mass General Cancer Center patient to be seen in this clinic?

A: No. We welcome all patients regardless of whether you have been seen at Mass General Cancer Center before. Many of our patients come from outside of the Boston metro area. Requests can come from patients (self-referrals) or from their medical teams. Our mission is to provide team-oriented subspecialist care for metastatic cancer problems throughout the New England region and beyond.

Q: Does referral to this metastatic program mean that I will lose my current oncology team?

A: No. We strongly value continuity with your existing oncology team. We are happy to "own” the metastatic aspects of your care, but we intend for this to be an integrated complement to the work of the providers you already know well. We communicate all important updates back to that team.

Q: How do I make sure that my records and imaging/scans are available before the consult?

A: After you reach out to us (by phone, website, or email), we will take the lead in obtaining the necessary documentation. At times, we may need your help obtaining imaging disks; we will ask you for that help if needed.

Q: How can I contact the bone and spine metastasis program?

A: You can reach us at 617-726-2222.

Q: What is Patient Gateway and how can I sign up?

A: Patient Gateway is an online portal. It is a convenient, efficient, and secure way to look at your medical records, request medication refills, request appointments and scheduling changes, and to communicate with us. Please ask any of our schedulers to help you sign up during your check-out. Or, log onto the website for instructions on how to enroll.

Q. How often do I need to be seen?

A. This depends on the type of surgery or radiation or interventional procedure you have. Our goal is to help you with your bone-related problem while allowing you to continue to get your care with your existing oncology team.