We Keep Kids Running
MD Anderson treatment of pediatric orthopedic oncology patients
Valerae O. Lewis, M.D.
Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, Division of Surgery
About Dr. Lewis
Dr. Valerae O. Lewis is Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. She is also the Associate Director of the Department of Thoracic/Orthopaedic Center and Associate Director of the Sarcoma Center. Dr. Lewis is a leader in the field of Orthopaedic Oncology with particular expertise in limb salvage and pelvic sarcoma surgery in adult and pediatric patients. In 2011, she started the Multidisciplinary Pelvic Sarcoma Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center that not only addresses the clinical needs of this unique group of patients, but also works to improve both the clinical and functional outcome of patients with pelvic sarcoma. For the past ten years, Dr. Lewis has served as Director of the Musculoskeletal Oncology Fellowship Program at symposiums throughout the year and is active in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), American Orthopaedic Association (AOA), the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS), and the International Society for Limb Salvage (ISOLS) and the Western Orthopaedic Association (WOA).
Orthopedic oncologist passionate about helping patients regain mobility
Personalized computer models help get pelvic cancer patients back on their feet
Tumor-targeting drug shows potential for treating bone cancer
Cancer can't match our resolve
An alternative to amputation
Specialized orthopedic oncology procedures preserve patients’ active lifestyles
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1993 | Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA, MD, Orthopaedic Oncology/Sarcoma |
| 1988 | Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA, BS, Psychobiology |
Postgraduate Training
| 1999-2000 | Clinical Fellowship, The University of Chicago, Musculoskeletal Oncology Fellowship, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chicago, IL |
| 1994-1998 | Resident, Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston, MA |
| 1993-1994 | Clinical Internship, Beth Israel Medical Center, Department of General Surgery, Boston, MA |
Board Certifications
| 2002 | American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery |
| 2000 | Texas State Board of Medical Examiners |
| 1994 | National Board of Medical Examiners |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2006 - 2014
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 2003 - 2006
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 2002 - Present
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Associate Director, Department of Thoracic/Orthopaedic Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2008 - Present
Associate Director, Department of Sarcoma and Orthopaedic Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2007 - Present
Program Director, Musculoskeletal Oncology Multidisciplinary Lecture Series, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2004 - Present
Director: MDACC Muscolskeletal Pathology Annual Review Course, Department of Orthopedic Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2003 - Present
Program Director, Orthopaedic Oncology Morbidity/Mortality Planning Conference, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2003 - Present
Director, Musculoskeletal Oncology Fellowship, Department of Orthopedic Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2002 - Present
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Treasurer, Western Orthopaedic Association, Upland, CA, 2009 - 2012
Chair, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society: Membership Committee, Nashville, TN, 2008 - 2009
Board of Directors, Member-at-large, American Orthopaedic Association, Rosemont, IL, 2007 - 2010
Member, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Diversity Advisory Board, Rosemont, IL, 2006 - 2010
Liaison from Diversity Advisory Board, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Council on Research, Quality Assurance and Technology, Rosemont, IL, 2006 - 2010
Board of Directors Member-at-Large, Western Orthopaedic Association, Upland, CA, 2005 - 2009
Member, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society: Nominations Committee, Nashville, TN, 2005 - 2006
Chairman, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Cultural Competency Guidebook Subcommittee, Rosemont, IL, 2005 - 2008
Member, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Musculoskeletal Tumors and Disease Evaluation Subcommittee, Rosemont, IL, 2003 - 2007
Member, Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society: Mentoring Committee, Rosemont, IL, 2003 - 2007
Member, Orthopaedic Committee on Appointments, Promotions & Tenure, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Houston, TX, 2002 - 2006
Institutional Committee Activities
Chair, Tissue Transplantation Committee, 2007 - Present
Member, Professional Liability Committee, 2006 - 2016
Member, Faculty Leadership Academy, 2006 - 2007
Member, Plastic Surgery Clinic Steering Committee, 2005 - 2011
Member, Scientific Advisory Committee (Pediatric Research Support Fund), 2003 - 2010
Member, ACGME Committee, 2003 - Present
Endowed Positions
Dr. John Murray Professor in Orthopaedic Oncology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2010 - Present
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Chao AH, Neimanis SA, Chang DW, Lewis VO, Hanasono MM. Reconstruction After Internal Hemipelvectomy: Outcomes and Reconstructive Algorithm. Ann Plast Surg 74:342-9, 2015. PMID: 23903084.
- Xing Z, Lin PP, Moon BS, Satcher RL, Lewis VO. A long femoral stem is not always required in hip arthroplasty for patients with proximal femur metastases. Clin Orthop Relat Res 471:1622-27, 2013. PMID: 23361930.
- Kells AF, Broyles JM, Simoa AF, Lewis VO, Sacks JM. Anterolateral thigh flow-through flap in hand salvage. Eplasty, 2013. PMID: 23641298.
- McKnight AJ, Lewis VO, Rhines LD, Hanasono MM. Femur-fibula-fillet of leg chimeric free flap for sacral-pelvic reconstruction. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 66:1784-7, 2013. PMID: 23735291.
- Lewis VO. Musculoskeletal cancers in adolescents. Orthopedics 36:608-9, 2013. PMID: 23937738.
- Lewis VO, Morris CD, Parsons TW. Malignant and benign bone tumors that you are likely to see. Instr Course Lect 62:535-49, 2013. PMID: 23395056.
- Lin PP, Alfawareh MD, Takeuchi A, Moon BS, Lewis VO. Sixty Percent 10-year Survival of Patients With Chondrosarcoma After Local Recurrence. Clin Orthop Relat Res 470:670-6, 2012. PMID: 21918803.
- Clemens MW, Chang EI, Selber JC, Lewis VO, Oates SD, Chang DW. Composite extremity and trunk reconstruction with vascularized fibula flap in postoncologic bone defects: a 10-year experience. Plast Reconstr Surg 129:170-8, 2012. PMID: 22186508.
- Lewis VO, Scherl SA, O'Connor MI. Women in orthopaedics--way behind the number curve. J Bone Joint Surg Am 94:e30, 2012. PMID: 22398744.
- Bird JE, Wang WL, Deavers MT, Madewell J, Lewis VO. Enchondroma with secondary aneurysmal bone cyst. Skeletal Radiol 41:1475-8, 2012. PMID: 22639202.
- Selber JC, Treadway C, Lopez A, Lewis VO, Chang DW. The use of free flap for limb salvage in children with tumors of the extremities. J Pediatr Surg 46:736-44, 2011. PMID: 21496546.
- De Comas AM, Deavers MT, Raymond AK, Madewell JE, Lewis VO. Intraneural parachordoma of the arm with regional metastases. Skeletal Radiol 40:943-946, 2011. PMID: 21499979.
- Moon BS, Lin PP, Satcher RS, Lewis VO. Simultaneous Nailing of Skeletal Metastases: Is the Mortality Really that High?. Clin Orthop Relat Res 469:2367-2370, 2011. PMID: 21328019.
- Huh WW, Guadagnolo BA, Munsell MF, Patel S, Lewis VO. Soft tissue sarcomas of the popliteal fossa: a single-institution retrospective review. Cancer 117:2728-34, 2011. PMID: 21656751.
- Costelloe CM, Rohren EM, Madewell JE, Hamaoka T, Theriault RL, Kuan T, Lewis VO, Ma J, Stafford RJ, Tari AM, Hortobagyi GN, Ueno NT. Imaging Bone Metastases in Breast Cancer: Techniques and Recommendations for Diagnosis. Lancet Oncol 10:606-614, 2009. PMID: 19482249.
- Lewis VO, Ozawa MG, Deavers MT, Wang G, Shintani T, Arap W, Pasqualini R. The Interleukin-11 Receptor Alpha as a Candidate Ligand-Directed Target in Osteosarcoma: Consistent Data from Cell Lines, Orthotopic Models, and Human Tumor Samples. Cancer Res 1:1995-9, 2009. PMID: 19244100.
- Costelloe CM, Macapinlac HA, Madewell JE, Fitzgerald NE, Mawlawi OR, Rohren EM, Raymond AK, Lewis VO, Anderson PM, Bassett RL Jr., Harrell RK, Marom, EM.. 18F-FDG PET/CT as an Indicator of Progression-Free and Overall Survival in Osteosarcoma. J Nucl Med 50:340-347, 2009. PMID: 19258257.
- Gupta GR, Yasko AW, Lewis VO, Cannon CP, Raymond AK, Patel S, Lin PP.. Risk of Local Recurrence After Deltoid-sparing Resection for Osteosarcoma of the Proximal Humerus. Cancer 115:3767-73, 2009. PMID: 19517468.
- Lahat G, Khuka AR, Lahat S, Lazar AJ, Lewis VO, Lin PP, Feig B, Cormier JN, Hunt KK, Pister PW, Pollock RE, Lev D.. Complete Soft Tissue Sarcoma Resection is a Viable Treatment Option for Select Elderly Patients. Ann Surg Oncol 16:2579-86, 2009. PMID: 19557478.
- Bierman JS. Holt GE, Lewis VO, Schwartz HS, Yaszemski MJ.. Metastatic Bone Disease: Diagnosis Evaluation, and Treatment. J Bone Joint Surg Am 9:1518-1530, 2009. PMID: 19487533.
- Lewis VO. What's New in Musculoskeletal Oncology. J Bone Joint Surg Am 91:1546-1556, 2009. PMID: 19487537.
- Gilbert NF, Yasko AW, Oates SD, Lewis VO, Cannon CP, Lin PP.. Allograft-Prosthetic Composite Reconstruction of the Proximal Part of the Tibia. An Analysis of the Early Results. JBJS 91:1646-1656, 2009. PMID: 19571087.
- Cannon CP, Paraliticci GU, Lin PP, Lewis VO, Yasko AW. Functional outcome following endoprosthetic reconstruction of the proximal humerus. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 18:705-10, 2009. PMID: 19186077.
- Gilbert NF, Cannon CP, Lin PP, Lewis VO. Soft-tissue sarcoma. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 17:40-7, 2009. PMID: 19136426.
- Guadagnolo BA, Zagars GK, Ballo MT, Patel SR, Lewis VO, Benjamin RS, Pollock RE. Excellent Local Control Rates and Distinctive Patterns of Failure in Myxoid Liposarcoma Treated with Conservation Surgery and Radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 70:760-5, 2008. PMID: 17892916.
- Gilbert NF, Deavers MT, Madewell JE, Lewis VO. A 16-year-old Girl with Pain and Swelling in the Medial Clavicle. Clin Orthop Relat Res 466:2158-62, 2008. PMID: 18404298.
- Chang DW, Fortin AJ, Oates SD, Lewis VO. Reconstruction of the Pelvic Ring with Vascularized Double-strut Fibular Flap Following Internal Hemipelvectomy. Plast Reconstr Surg 121:1993-2000, 2008. PMID: 18520887.
- Cannon CP, Lin PP, Lewis VO, Yasko AW. Management of radiation-associated fractures. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 16:541-9, 2008. PMID: 18768711.
- Cannon CP; Lin PP; Lewis VO, Yasko AW. Acetabular Outcome after Hip Hemiarthroplasty in Patients with Tumors. Clin Orthop Relat Res 457:183-187, 2007. PMID: 17119457.
- Lin PP, Jaffe N, Herzog CE, Costelloe CM, Deavers MT, Kelly JS, Patel SR, Madewell JE, Lewis VO, Cannon CP, Benjamin RS, Yasko AW. Chemotherapy response is an important predictor of local recurrence in Ewing sarcoma. Cancer 109:603-11, 2007. PMID: 17177205.
- Lin PP, Pino ED, Normand AN, Deavers MT, Cannon CP, Ballo MT, Pisters PW, Pollock RE, Lewis VO, Zagars GK, Yasko AW. Periosteal margin in soft-tissue sarcoma. Cancer 109:598-602, 2007. PMID: 17183556.
- Torres MA, Ballo MT, Butler CE, Feig BW, Cormier JN, Lewis VO, Pollack RE, Pisters PW, Zagars GK. Management of locally recurrent soft-tissue sarcoma after prior and radiation therapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 15:1124-9, 2007. PMID: 17208389.
- Yasko AW, Rutledge J, Lewis VO, Lin PP. Disease- and recurrence-free survival after surgical resection of solitary bone metastases of the pelvis. Clin Orthop Relat Res 459:128-32, 2007. PMID: 17452920.
- Normand AN, Cannon CP, Lewis VO, Lin PP, Yasko AW. Curettage of biopsy-diagnosed grade 1 periacetabular chondrosarcoma. Clin Orthop Relat Res 459:146-9, 2007. PMID: 17452919.
- Lewis VO. What's new in musculoskeletal oncology. J Bone Joint Surg Am 89:1399-407, 2007. PMID: 17545444.
- Lin PP, Mirza AN, Lewis VO, Cannon CP, Tu SM, Tannir NM, Yasko AW. Patient survival after surgery for osseous metastases from renal cell carcinoma. J Bone Joint Surg Am 89:1794-801, 2007. PMID: 17671020.
- Gilbert NF, Raymond AK, Madewell JE, Lewis VO. An 11-year-old with knee pain: diagnosis and discussion. Skeletal Radiol 36:867-8, 2007. PMID: 17641889.
- Guadagnolo BA, Zagars GK, Ballo MT, Patel SR, Lewis VO, Pisters PW, Benjamin RS, Pollock RE. Long-term Outcomes for Synovial Sarcoma Treated with Conservation Surgery and Radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 69:1173-80, 2007. PMID: 17689031.
- Pisters PW, Pollock RE, Lewis VO, Yasko AW, Cormier JN, Respondek PM, Feig BW, Hunt KK, Lin PP, Zagars G, Wei C, Ballo MT. Long-term Results of Prospective Trial of Surgery Alone with Selective use of Radiation for Patients with T1 Extremity and Trunk Soft Tissue Sarcomas. Ann Surg 246:675-81, 2007. PMID: 17893504.
- Costelloe CM, Kumar R, Yasko AW, Murphy WA Jr, Stafford RJ, Lewis VO, Lin PP, Madewell JE.. Imaging Characteristics of locally recurrent tumors of bone. AJR AM J Roentgenol 188:855-63, 2007. PMID: 17312079.
Invited Articles
- Lewis VO, McLaurin T, Jimenez R, Otzuka N. Culturally Competent Care: Communication for all of your patients. Instr Cours Lec, 2012.
Book Chapters
- Lewis VO, Chang DW. Bone Sarcomas in the Growing Child. In: Bone Sarcoma, 2013.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified August 16, 2024