Table 1.

Lessons learned from the creation of the Ottawa Bone Oncology Program.

Study types	Lessons learned:
Issues affecting all studies	•Ensure consent covers future studies might be performed on these specimens. •Biopsies should be performed by a well-trained individual. •Standard operating procedures are needed for tissue handling. •The yield of tumour cells is relatively low.
Studies exploring bone quality	•Jamshidi biopsy needle can be used for the assessment of bone quality, however larger studies are needed.
Studies evaluating repeat biopsies	•Patients are often willing to undergo repeat bone biopsies. •Low tumour yields a significant issue •The number of specimens with tumour cells present from both pre- and post-treatment specimens in the same patient will be relatively low.
Studies obtaining specimens from surgical specimens	•Coordination between multiple teams is needed. •Advanced notification is desirable however if not possible specimen storage protocols are necessary. •The abundance of tumour available at open surgical procedures allows for multiple end uses.