Biopsy of soft-tissue and bone lesions is a difficult procedure that is fraught with complications if obtained improperly. Occasionally, improperly performed biopsies may preclude limb-salvage, thus greatly altering the outcome of the disease process.
As such, it is considered standard-of-care to refer patients with possible musculoskeletal tumors to treatment centers capable of proper diagnosis and management of the condition.
While a community orthopedic surgeon may know how to properly biopsy a lesion, it is in the patient’s best interest to be referred to a treatment center prior to biopsy for biopsy and subsequent definitive management.