Introduction: The workload of a bone and soft tissue tumour (BSTT) multidisciplinary team (MDT) is varied. Only a proportion of the workload attracts specific funding from the National Commissioning Group (NCG) but many patients who do not have primary malignant bone tumours are also seen and treated. We analysed the workload of our supra-regional BSTT MDT to determine the variety of conditions seen, the proportion that does not attract specific funding and the expertise required to run the service.

Methods: A prospective database was used to identify all new patients discussed at our weekly BSTT MDT meetings between 2004 and 2008 inclusively. Patients were divided by diagnosis into eight categories and further identified as to whether or not they attracted funding under NCG regulations.

Results: 1743 new patients were identified of which 83 were excluded. Of the remaining 1660, 65% were non-sarcoma and 50% were benign. 31% of the malignant workload was non-sarcoma. Only 11% of patients were eligible for NCG funding. Of those requiring surgery, the orthopaedic team managed 93% of benign and 77% of malignant cases; general, plastic, or thoracic surgical teams managed the remainder.

Discussion: NCG funds the management of all malignant primary bone tumours and the investigation and/or treatment of other selected conditions; the majority of our workload does not qualify. Despite fluctuations in the total workload, the ratio of benign to malignant cases remains relatively constant. Considerable expertise across many different specialties is essential for an effective and efficient MDT.

Introduction: The ‘Two Week Wait’ (2ww) process has been in force since the year 2000, with the subsequent implementation of 32-day diagnosis and 62-day treatment ‘rules’, as part of reforms to NHS cancer services. The aims of this study were to compile a definitive diagnostic profile of 2ww referrals, establish whether a histological diagnosis was required and consider the current 2ww impact on services in our centre.

Methods: Two hundred and nine patients were referred to the North of England Bone and Soft Tissue Tumour service and prospectively recorded on a computerised multidisciplinary tumour database from 2006–8. The data was reviewed and verified using pathology, radiology reports and patient records.

Results: Malignancy was diagnosed in 41(20%) patients (n=209). This comprised 21 soft tissue sarcomas (10%), 11 primary bone tumours (5%), and 9 metastatic bone tumours (4%).

63 (30%) benign bone or soft tissue neoplasia and 80 (38%) non-neoplastic conditions were diagnosed. No mass lesion was identifiable in 25 patients (12%). A diagnostic or therapeutic biopsy was undertaken in 108 (52%) patients.

Discussion: Fifteen percent of 2ww referrals to our centre have a primary bone or soft tissue malignancy. The 2ww caseload has increased significantly in recent years and non-malignant conditions (80%) must still be diagnosed within the 31 day rule. We utilise a ‘one-stop clinic’ approach, with access to ultrasound guided biopsy, and a weekly multidisciplinary meeting to facilitate timely investigation and treatment of all patients regardless of referral route.

After resection of a malignant tumour, the options for reconstruction include the use of massive allografts. The potential benefits of allografts include the ability to shape the graft to match the defect at the time of surgery and high rates of union in metaphyseal bone. The options for fixation of allografts include intramedullary nails and plating.

The AO-LISS DF (less invasive stabilisation system for the distal femur) is a new plate designed for fractures of the femur. The screws lock into the plate and the system is thought to provide excellent purchase in metaphyseal bone. A jig allows percutaneous screw insertion.

We describe a case in which a 28 year old woman with a high grade sarcoma of the distal femur underwent reconstruction using an intercalated allograft and two LISS-DF plates. This technique allowed the knee joint to be preserved. Although the surgical approach to the femur was medial, the LISS-DF jig allowed a plate to be placed on the lateral side of the femur in a “less invasive” fashion. Although the plate is designed for application to the lateral side of the femur, in this case adequate fit on the medial side was obtained with a plate from the contralateral limb. This reconstruction provided excellent early stability at the junctions between host and allograft bone.

The purpose of this study was to review the outcomes of patients treated with injectable calcium phosphate cement (Norian SRS, Norian Corporation, Cupertino, California) for contained bone defects after resection of benign or low-grade malignant bone tumours.

The clinical records and radiographs of 17 patients who had been treated with calcium phosphate cement were reviewed, looking for incorporation into bone, reabsorption of the material and complications.

The 17 patients had a mean age of 29.8 years (range 7 to 64). The diagnosis was giant cell tumour in 9 cases, fibrous dyplasia in 2, low grade chondrosarcoma in 2, and one each of enchondroma, chondromyxoid fibroma, osteofibrous dysplasia, and chondroblastoma. The tibia was involved in 9 cases, the femur in 6 and the radius in 2. The mean follow up was 11 months (range 3 to 25).

The material is radioopaque and well visualised on plain radiographs. In most cases, incorporation of the material into the bone structure appeared good, but there was little absorption of the material during the followup available. The exceptions were 2 cases in which the material was absorbed following local recurrence of giant cell tumour.

One fracture associated with a giant cell tumour healed well in the presence of the material. In three patients, there were clinical and radiological features at follow up suggestive of periostitis related to the material. In one case a florid effusion of the knee may have been due to the material.

Injectable calcium phosphate cement may have a role in the management of contained defects requiring mechanical support following resection of benign or low-grade malignant tumours of bone. However, problems with periostitis, possibly synovitis and absorption in the presence of local recurrence should be considered.

To determine if rates of local recurrence and metastasis differ in upper versus lower extremity sarcomas.

Prospectively collected data relating to patients undergoing limb-sparing surgery for extremity soft tissue sarcoma between January 1986 and April 1997 were analysed. Local recurrence-free and metastasis-free rates were calculated using the method of Kaplan and Meier. Univariate and multivariate analyses of potential predictive factors were evaluated with the log-rank test and the Cox proportional hazards model.

Of 480 eligible patients, 48 (10. 0%) had a local recurrence and 131 (27. 3%) developed metastases. Median follow-up of survivors was 4. 8 years (0. 1 to 12. 9). There were 139 upper and 341 lower extremity tumours. Upper extremity tumours were more often treated by unplanned excision before referral (89 vs 160, p< 0. 001) and were smaller (6. 0cm vs 9. 3cm, p< 0. 000). Lower extremity tumours were more often deep to or involving the investing fascia (280 vs. 97, p< 0. 003). The distribution of histological types differed in each extremity. Fewer upper extremity tumours were treated with adjuvant radiotherapy (98 vs. 289, p< 0. 000).

The 5-year local recurrence-free rate was 82% in the upper and 93% in the lower extremity (p< 0. 002). Local recurrence was predicted by surgical margin status (hazard ratio 3. 16, p< 0. 000) but not extremity (p=0. 127) or unplanned excision before referral (p=0. 868).

The 5-year metastasis-free rate was 82% in the upper and 69% in the lower extremity (p< 0. 013). Metastasis was predicted by high histological grade (hazard ratio 17. 28, p< 0. 000), tumour size in cm (hazard ratio 1. 05, p< 0. 001) and deep location (hazard ratio 1. 93, p< 0. 028) but not by extremity (p=0. 211).

Local recurrence is more frequent after treatment for upper compared with lower extremity sarcomas. Variation in the use of radiotherapy and differences in histological type may be contributory. Metastasis is more frequent after treatment for lower extremity sarcomas because tumours tend to be large and deep.