lumps and bumps of the foot and ankle are quite common in a doctor´s daily practice but true musculoskeletal tumors are very rare. These neoplasms can originate from any body tissue of the locomotor system and are gernerally divided into benign and malignant as well as osseous and soft-tissue tumors.
Malignant bone and soft tissue tumors ("sarcomas") account for less than 1% of all cancer. Therefore it is not surprising that even speciality-trained doctors are often unfamiliar with the characteristics of this pathology.
Fortunately, the majority of these tumors are benign. Nevertheless, until proven otherwise, every tumor must be taken seriously. Sarcomas are notoriously difficult to differentiate from benign lesions by clinical examination and radiographic analysis solely, and thus some malignant tumors are excised inadequately (“unplanned resection”). Unplanned surgical excisions of malignant tumors of the foot and ankle often result in the need for more aggressive surgery and adjuvant therapy.

Although the compact anatomy should facilitate early detection of tumors of the foot and ankle, the correct diagnosis is often missed due to a lack of awareness for these entities. Additionally, the malignant potential of a tumor on the foot is often underestimated.
Profound knowledge of a vast number of different entities of foot and ankle tumors and their benign and malignant differential diagnoses is mandatory for a successful treatment to avoid over- or undertherapy, negatively affecting the patient´s outcome.

As a renowned and certified expert for foot and ankle surgery as well as tumor orthopedics, Assistant Prof. Dr.med. Andreas Toepfer, MD PhD and his multidsiciplinary team of experts will assist you with your questions concerning foot and ankle tumors. Please do not hesitate to contact us through our website.
If needed, any patient is welcome to get a personal appointment and consultation at our clinic.