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Specialized Care for Musculoskeletal Tumours
A network dedicated to managing musculoskeletal tumours
An innovative initiative to improve care for sarcoma patients
Musculoskeletal tumours are tumours that affect bones, muscles and other supporting tissues. They can be benign or malignant. Benign tumours are localized and don't spread to other parts of the body, whereas malignant tumours can spread and damage other organs, which can lead to serious complications. Today, an innovative initiative is taking shape in Quebec to improve care for sarcoma patients.
Whether they're benign or malignant, musculoskeletal tumours are rare, but they require rapid treatment by specialists. Unfortunately, patients sometimes face delays in diagnosis and treatment due to gaps in the provision of healthcare. When this is the case, their condition can get worse. Recognizing this problem, Dr. Sophie Mottard has been working to address the issue since 2016.
A medical team dedicated to getting patients seen faster
Soft tissue cancer is a type of musculoskeletal tumour that affects muscles, tendons and fatty tissue. Since these cancers are often aggressive, they need to be detected early in order to be treated effectively.
This is why the Quebec Sarcoma Network, which Dr. Mottard founded with three other people, decided to try a new approach with the multidisciplinary team at Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont. Their goal was to improve the quality of care for patients with musculoskeletal tumours.
Initially, their initiative was met with indifference. Leaders within the healthcare system didn't even acknowledge their efforts. But the team of medical specialists persevered.
Dr. Mottard and her multidisciplinary team first developed algorithms specific to soft tissue tumours and bone lesions. These algorithms are used to connect patients with the specialized care they need, faster and more effectively. Patients with musculoskeletal tumours may notice a palpable lump and experience swelling or pain that doesn't go away with rest. These symptoms should be taken seriously, especially if the pain is constant and the lump seems to be growing rapidly. Thanks to the perseverance of the specialist physicians behind it, the Quebec Sarcoma Network now sees 1,500 to 2,000 patients every year.
Sarcoma statistics and related issues in Quebec
The medical team includes orthopaedic surgeons, hematologist-oncologists, pathologists and radiologists that specialize in musculoskeletal tumours. Thanks to their combined efforts, treatment times have come down for both malignant sarcomas and benign tumours. Risk factors for musculoskeletal tumours include exposure to radiation, family histories of cancer, and certain inherited conditions. People with a history of injury or chronic infection in their bones or muscles may also be at increased risk. Improved treatment times are significant, especially considering that sarcoma results in death in 50% of adults and 30% of children.
A provincial consortium to improve research and care
The Quebec Sarcoma Network is building on its success and is now focusing on building awareness of this type of cancer, advancing research and transforming the province's healthcare system in a way that benefits patients.
"With the help of patient families, we're creating a provincial consortium of all the professionals who work with sarcoma patients in Quebec," explained Dr. Mottard. "In addition to improving patient care, we aim to consolidate the research being done so that we can find better ways to treat these tumours, which unfortunately take the lives of too many patients." The initiative spans the entire province and involves various healthcare establishments and universities. It is the first undertaking of its kind in Canada. "If we really want to improve patient outcomes, we need to stop working in silos." Members of the team also help increase awareness of the issue by giving presentations, doing media interviews and contributing to documentaries. Dr. Mottard even took part in the Shaved Head Challenge!
Through their dedication and expertise, medical specialists play a key role in transforming the healthcare system. They strive to ensure that every patient receives quality care and timely treatments to improve their chances of recovery.
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The Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ) is made up of nearly 11,000 specialist physicians representing 59 recognized medical specialties. Our mission is to defend and support specialist doctors who are members of our affiliated associations and work in the public health system, while promoting quality care and services for the people of Quebec.