Bone and Soft Tissue Pathology
The diagnosis of neoplastic and non-neoplastic disorders of bone and soft tissue requires careful correlation of clinical, radiographic, and pathologic findings. Because bone and soft tissue tumors are rare, and the diagnosis of a bone or soft tissue sarcoma often leads to a combination of chemotherapy or radiotherapy and radical surgery, a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment is essential. In addition, a variety of pseudosarcomatous and reactive lesions of bone and soft tissue are often mistaken for sarcomas, leading to unnecessary surgery or adjuvant therapy.
The members of the Unit of Bone and Soft Tissue Pathology at the University of Florida (John D. Reith, M.D., Unit Director, and Jackie Knapik, M.D.) incorporate radiographic and clinical data with histologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular diagnostic analysis to accurately diagnose a variety of neoplastic and non-neoplastic disorders of bone and soft tissue. When necessary, cases are discussed at a multidisciplinary conference attended by radiologists and orthopaedic surgeons with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.
Dr. Reith completed his residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, a Surgical Pathology Fellowship at the University of Michigan, and an Orthopaedic Pathology Fellowship at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and is one of only a few fellowship-trained Orthopaedic Pathologists in the Southeastern United States. He is a member of the International Society of Bone and Soft Tissue Pathologists, the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, and the Connective Tissue Oncology Society. Dr. Knapik completed her residency and a fellowship in cytopathology at the University of Florida. Their expertise is available through consultant services from Diagnostic Reference Laboratories, a division of the Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Florida. Normal turnaround time is 2-5 days; however, results can be expedited if appropriate radiographic images are forwarded along with slides and blocks.