Musculoskeletal pathology includes the study of disorders of bones and joints, and the ‘soft tissues’ (such as muscle, fat, tendons and so on). In particular we specialise in tumours of these tissues, including benign (non-cancerous) and malignant tumours (cancers).
In the musculoskeletal system, cancers are collectively called sarcoma. Sarcoma affects people of all ages including newborns and we diagnose tumours in all age groups. Christchurch hosts the sarcoma centre for the South Island, and is one of only two bone tumour units in the country. Our pathologists report and review sarcoma cases from across the region and attend the weekly sarcoma multidisciplinary meeting held at Christchurch Hospital.
Meet the Musculoskeletal Pathology team: