Abstract
Primary bone tumours in the elderly population are relatively rare.
We reviewed the Leeds regional bone tumour registry between 1990–1999 and found them to constitute only 43 of the 341 (12%) bone tumour cases.
Malignant tumours (65%) were more common than benign tumours with primary tumours accounting 92 % and metastatic tumours only 8 % of all the malignancies. Females were more affected than males (55% versus 45 %).
Chondrosarcoma was the most frequent tumour, constituting 24% of primary malignant tumours and 18 % of all bone tumours.
Chondroma was the most common benign tumour accounting for 50% of all benign tumours, and 11% of all tumours.
Survival rate was relatively poor in elderly population with primary malignant tumours.
The majority of malignant tumours were in the lower limb (femur 25%, tibia 14 %).The upper limb accounted for 14% and the axial skeleton 5%.
Bone tumour registries provide a valuable source of cumulative information about both common and uncommon tumours. Such information could not easily be gathered by personal experience. It is also a very good source of information for research education and service.
Correspondence should be addressed to BOOS at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35 - 43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN
