50 Years of MSTS: Anniversary Meeting Sets New Directions for Orthopaedic Oncology
MEDPRESSO | REPORT
October 28–31, 2026 • Miami, Florida, USA
Fifty years of progress in orthopaedic oncology, scientific collaboration and the exchange of clinical experience are at the heart of the 50th Annual Meeting of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS), held October 28–31 in Miami. The anniversary congress brought together specialists who treat bone and soft-tissue tumors around the key tasks of the specialty: improving diagnosis, choosing the optimal surgical approach, reconstruction after tumor resection and better long-term treatment outcomes.
Professional community and scientific agenda
MSTS is a professional society whose mission is to advance orthopaedic oncology through research, education and better quality of patient care. The annual meeting serves as a forum for discussing complex clinical cases, presenting new data and strengthening interdisciplinary and international ties. A key feature of this specialty is the need for joint work by orthopaedic oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, radiation oncologists, rehabilitation specialists and researchers.
Invited experts and educational program
Among the Presidential Invited Scholars are Dr. Brian Snyder (Boston Children’s Hospital / Harvard Medical School), whose research brings together orthopaedic surgery, biomedical engineering, imaging and computational modeling to assess bone tissue and fracture risk, and Dr. Evanthia Galanis (Mayo Clinic), known for her work in neuro-oncology, clinical trials and the development of innovative therapeutic approaches, including immuno-oncolytic virotherapy.
The program combines scientific talks and poster presentations with hands-on training. The Innovation Course includes surgical technique practice and cadaver sessions. A separate educational session is dedicated to nurses and allied health professionals — an important reminder that the quality of cancer care depends on the coordinated work of the whole team.
Key research topics
The published oral presentation program includes 83 peer-reviewed abstracts. The scientific discussion centers on sarcoma biology and new therapeutic targets, molecular and immune mechanisms of tumor growth, skeletal metastatic disease, limb-salvage treatment and reconstructive surgery. Particular attention is paid to treatment outcomes, implant survival, functional recovery and complications.
The poster program reflects the practical breadth of orthopaedic oncology: reconstruction of complex bone and pelvic defects, custom 3D-printed implants and surgical guides, endoprosthetic reconstruction, prevention and treatment of periprosthetic infection, tumor diagnosis and surgical margin assessment. Topical areas include computer navigation, digital preoperative planning and the use of artificial intelligence in image analysis and patient communication.
Ukrainian contribution: experience that matters for wartime practice
Of particular interest to MEDPRESSO’s Ukrainian audience are the papers by Oleg Vyrva, MD: “Onco-Orthopaedic Strategies for War-Related Bone Loss” and “Clinical Strategies for Infection Control in Orthopaedic Oncology Limb Salvage”. The first addresses onco-orthopaedic approaches to managing patients with bone loss caused by war injuries; the second covers infection-control strategies in limb-salvage treatment in orthopaedic oncology.
Presenting these topics on an international stage underscores the relevance of Ukrainian clinical experience to the global professional community. Complex bone defects, reconstructive options, infectious complications and preservation of limb function are issues that call for knowledge-sharing among specialists from different countries — and they are especially important as war injuries continue.
International collaboration and the future of the specialty
The anniversary meeting supports MSTS’s engagement with international professional organizations, including European, Asia-Pacific and Latin American orthopaedic oncology societies. Young researchers have an important place: the Early-Stage Investigator Enrichment Program and grant support are designed to strengthen the specialty’s research capacity and ensure the continuity of its scientific directions.
The significance of the anniversary congress goes beyond celebrating half a century of MSTS history. Modern orthopaedic oncology must simultaneously address oncological control, limb preservation, restoration of function and quality of life. This requires accurate diagnosis, multidisciplinary planning, reliable reconstructive solutions and evidence-based outcome assessment. It is precisely the combination of clinical practice, basic research and international collaboration that remains the main resource for the development of the specialty.