The existing clinical guidelines do not describe a clear indication for adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) in the treatment of superficial soft tissue sarcomas (STSs). We aimed to determine the efficacy of adjuvant RT for superficial STSs. We retrospectively studied 304 patients with superficial STS of the limbs and trunk who underwent surgical resection at a tertiary sarcoma centre. The efficacy of RT was investigated according to the tumour size and grade: group 1, ≤ 5 cm, low grade; group 2, ≤ 5cm, high grade; group 3, > 5 cm, low grade; group 4, > 5 cm, high grade.Aims
Methods
We present the long-term surgical outcomes, complications, implant survival and causes of implant failure in patients treated with the modified Harrington procedure using antegrade large diameter pins. A cohort of 50 consecutive patients who underwent the modified Harrington procedure along with cemented THA for peri-acetabular metastasis or haematological malignancy between 1990 and April 2018 were studied. The median follow-up time for all patients was 14 years (interquartile range, 9 – 16 years).Aim
Patients and Methods
The purpose of this study was to report the long-term results of extendable endoprostheses of the humerus in children after the resection of a bone sarcoma. A total of 35 consecutive patients treated with extendable endoprosthetic replacement of the humerus in children were included. There were 17 boys and 18 girls in the series with a median age at the time of initial surgery of nine years (interquartile range (IQR) 7 to 11).Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to present the long-term surgical outcomes, complications, implant survival, and causes of implant failure in patients treated with the modified Harrington procedure using antegrade large diameter pins. A cohort of 50 consecutive patients who underwent the modified Harrington procedure for periacetabular metastasis or haematological malignancy between January 1996 and April 2018 were studied. The median follow-up time for all survivors was 3.2 years (interquartile range 0.9 to 7.6 years).Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to report the results of custom-made endoprostheses with extracortical plates plus or minus a short, intramedullary stem aimed at preserving the physis after resection of bone sarcomas in children. Between 2007 and 2017, 18 children aged less than 16 years old who underwent resection of bone sarcomas, leaving ≤ 5 cm of bone from the physis, and reconstruction with a custom-made endoprosthesis were reviewed. Median follow-up was 67 months (interquartile range 45 to 91). The tumours were located in the femur in 11 patients, proximal humerus in six, and proximal tibia in one.Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to determine the risk of local recurrence and survival in patients with osteosarcoma based on the proximity of the tumour to the major vessels. A total of 226 patients with high-grade non-metastatic osteosarcoma in the limbs were investigated. Median age at diagnosis was 15 years (4 to 67) with the ratio of male to female patients being 1.5:1. The most common site of the tumour was the femur (n = 103) followed by tibia (n = 66). The vascular proximity was categorized based on the preoperative MRI after neoadjuvant chemotherapy into four types: type 1 > 5 mm; type 2 ≤ 5 mm, > 0 mm; type 3 attached; type 4 surrounded.Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to identify factors that determine outcomes of treatment for patients with chondroblastic osteosarcomas (COS) of the limbs and pelvis. The authors carried out a retrospective review of prospectively collected data from 256 patients diagnosed between 1979 and 2015. Of the 256 patients diagnosed with COS of the pelvis and the limbs, 147 patients (57%) were male and 109 patients (43%) were female. The mean age at presentation was 20 years (0 to 90).Aims
Patients and Methods
Aims
Patients and Methods
Preserving growth following limb-salvage surgery of the upper
limb in children remains a challenge. Vascularized autografts may
provide rapid biological incorporation with the potential for growth
and longevity. In this study, we aimed to describe the outcomes
following proximal humeral reconstruction with a vascularized fibular
epiphyseal transfer in children with a primary sarcoma of bone.
We also aimed to quantify the hypertrophy of the graft and the annual
growth, and to determine the functional outcomes of the neoglenofibular
joint. We retrospectively analyzed 11 patients who underwent this procedure
for a primary bone tumour of the proximal humerus between 2004 and
2015. Six had Ewing’s sarcoma and five had osteosarcoma. Their mean
age at the time of surgery was five years (two to eight). The mean
follow-up was 5.2 years (1 to 12.2).Aims
Patients and Methods
The use of a noninvasive growing endoprosthesis in the management
of primary bone tumours in children is well established. However,
the efficacy of such a prosthesis in those requiring a revision
procedure has yet to be established. The aim of this series was
to present our results using extendable prostheses for the revision
of previous endoprostheses. All patients who had a noninvasive growing endoprosthesis inserted
at the time of a revision procedure were identified from our database.
A total of 21 patients (seven female patients, 14 male) with a mean
age of 20.4 years (10 to 41) at the time of revision were included.
The indications for revision were mechanical failure, trauma or infection
with a residual leg-length discrepancy. The mean follow-up was 70
months (17 to 128). The mean shortening prior to revision was 44 mm
(10 to 100). Lengthening was performed in all but one patient with
a mean lengthening of 51 mm (5 to 140).Aims
Patients and Methods
Extendible endoprostheses have been available for more than 30
years and have become more sophisticated with time. The latest generation
is ‘non-invasive’ and can be lengthened with an external magnetic
force. Early results have shown a worryingly high rate of complications
such as infection. This study investigates the incidence of complications
and the need for further surgery in a cohort of patients with a
non-invasive growing endoprosthesis. Between 2003 and June 2014, 50 children (51 prostheses) had a
non-invasive growing prosthesis implanted for a primary bone sarcoma.
The minimum follow-up was 24 months for those who survived. Their
mean age was 10.4 years (6 to 14). The incidence of complications
and further surgery was documented.Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to establish what happens to patients
in the long term after endoprosthetic replacement for a primary
malignant tumour of bone. We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained
database to identify all patients who had undergone an endoprosthetic
replacement more than 25 years ago and who were still alive. Their
outcomes were investigated with reference to their complications and
need for further surgery. A total of 230 patients were identified.
Their mean age at diagnosis was 20.7 years (five to 62). The most
common diagnosis was osteosarcoma (132). The most common site was
the distal femur (102). Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic
and therapeutic factors which influence the oncological outcome
of parosteal osteosarcoma. A total of 80 patients with a primary parosteal osteosarcoma
were included in this retrospective study. There were 51 females
and 29 males with a mean age of 29.9 years (11 to 78). The mean follow-up was 11.2 years (1 to 40). Overall survival
was 91.8% at five years and 87.8% at ten years. Local recurrence
occurred in 14 (17.5%) patients and was associated with intralesional
surgery and a large volume of tumour. On histological examination,
80% of the local recurrences were dedifferentiated high-grade tumours.
A total of 12 (14.8%) patients developed pulmonary metastases, of
whom half had either a dedifferentiated tumour or a local recurrence.
Female gender and young age were good prognostic factors. Local
recurrence was a poor prognostic factor for survival. Medullary
involvement or the use of chemotherapy had no impact on survival. The main goal in treating a parosteal osteosarcoma must be to
achieve a wide surgical margin, as inadequate margins are associated
with local recurrence. Local recurrence has a significant negative
effect on survival, as 80% of the local recurrences are high-grade
dedifferentiated tumours, and half of these patients develop metastases. The role of chemotherapy in the treatment of parosteal osteosarcoma
is not as obvious as it is in the treatment of conventional osteosarcoma.
The mainstay of treatment is wide local excision. Cite this article:
We conducted a case-control study to examine
the merit of silver-coated tumour prostheses. We reviewed 85 patients
with Agluna-treated (silver-coated) tumour implants treated between
2006 and 2011 and matched them with 85 control patients treated
between 2001 and 2011 with identical, but uncoated, tumour prostheses. In all, 106 men and 64 women with a mean age of 42.2 years (18.4
to 90.4) were included in the study. There were 50 primary reconstructions
(29.4%); 79 one-stage revisions (46.5%) and 41 two-stage revisions
for infection (24.1%). The overall post-operative infection rate of the silver-coated
group was 11.8% compared with 22.4% for the control group (p = 0.033,
chi-square test). A total of seven of the ten infected prostheses
in the silver-coated group were treated successfully with debridement,
antibiotics, and implant retention compared with only six of the
19 patients (31.6%) in the control group (p = 0.048, chi-square
test). Three patients in the silver-coated group (3.5%) and 13 controls
(15.3%) had chronic periprosthetic infection (p = 0.009, chi-square
test). The overall success rates in controlling infection by two-stage
revision in the silver-coated group was 85% (17/20) compared with
57.1% (12/21) in the control group (p = 0.05, chi-square test).
The Agluna-treated endoprostheses were associated with a lower rate
of early periprosthetic infection. These silver-treated implants
were particularly useful in two-stage revisions for infection and
in those patients with incidental positive cultures at the time
of implantation of the prosthesis. Debridement with antibiotic treatment and retention of the implant
appeared to be more successful with silver-coated implants. Cite this article:
Bone sarcomas are rare cancers and orthopaedic
surgeons come across them infrequently, sometimes unexpectedly during
surgical procedures. We investigated the outcomes of patients who
underwent a surgical procedure where sarcomas were found unexpectedly
and were subsequently referred to our unit for treatment. We identified
95 patients (44 intra-lesional excisions, 35 fracture fixations,
16 joint replacements) with mean age of 48 years (11 to 83); 60%
were males (n = 57). Local recurrence arose in 40% who underwent
limb salvage surgery Cite this article:
We evaluated the risk of late relapse and further
outcome in patients with soft-tissue sarcomas who were alive and event-free
more than five years after initial treatment. From our database
we identified 1912 patients with these pathologies treated between
1980 and 2006. Of these 1912 patients, 603 were alive and event-free
more than five years after initial treatment and we retrospectively
reviewed them. The mean age of this group was 48 years (4 to 94)
and 340 were men. The mean follow-up was 106 months (60 to 336).
Of the original cohort, 582 (97%) were alive at final follow-up.
The disease-specific survival was 96.4% (95% confidence interval
(CI) 94.4 to 98.3) at ten years and 92.9% (95% CI 89 to 96.8) at
15 years. The rate of late relapse was 6.3% (38 of 603). The ten-
and 15-year event-free rates were 93.2% (95% CI 90.8 to 95.7) and
86.1% (95% CI 80.2 to 92.1), respectively. Multivariate analysis
showed that tumour size and tumour grade remained independent predictors
of events. In spite of further treatment, 19 of the 38 patients
died of sarcoma. The three- and five-year survival rates after the
late relapse were 56.2% (95% CI 39.5 to 73.3) and 43.2% (95% CI
24.7 to 61.7), respectively, with a median survival time of 46 months.
Patients with soft-tissue sarcoma, especially if large, require
long-term follow-up, especially as they have moderate potential
to have their disease controlled. Cite this article:
A total of 157 hindquarter amputations were carried
out in our institution during the last 30 years. We have investigated
the reasons why this procedure is still required and the outcome.
This operation was used as treatment for 13% of all pelvic bone
sarcomas. It was curative in 140 and palliative in 17, usually to
relieve pain. There were 90 primary procedures (57%) with the remaining
67 following the failure of previous operations to control the disease
locally. The indication for amputation in primary disease was for
large tumours for which limb-salvage surgery was no longer feasible.
The peri-operative mortality was 1.3% (n = 2) and major complications
of wound healing or infection arose in 71 (45%) patients. The survival
at five years after hindquarter amputation with the intent to cure
was 45%, and at ten years 38%. Local recurrence occurred in 23 patients
(15%). Phantom pain was a significant problem, and only 20% used
their prosthesis regularly. Functional scores were a mean of 57%.
With careful patient selection the oncological results and functional outcomes
of hindquarter amputation justify its continued use. Cite this article:
The purpose of this study was to assess the outcome
of 15 patients (mean age 13.6 years (7 to 25)) with a primary sarcoma
of the tibial diaphysis who had undergone excision of the affected
segment that was then irradiated (90 Gy) and reimplanted with an
ipsilateral vascularised fibular graft within it. The mean follow-up was 57 months (22 to 99). The mean time to
full weight-bearing was 23 weeks (9 to 57) and to complete radiological
union 42.1 weeks (33 to 55). Of the 15 patients, seven required
a further operation, four to obtain skin cover. The mean Musculoskeletal
Society Tumor Society functional score at final follow-up was 27
out of 30 once union was complete. The functional results were comparable
with those of allograft reconstruction and had a similar rate of
complication. We believe this to be a satisfactory method of biological reconstruction
of the tibial diaphysis in selected patients.
To estimate the risk of bone malignancy arising in premalignant conditions. There are quite a number of possible premalignant conditions with considerable uncertainty about the actual risk of a bone sarcoma developing. The incidence of these malignant conditions was identified from a prospective database containing 3000 primary bone sarcomas.Aim
Methods
The aim of this study is to evaluate the functional and oncological outcome of extracorporeally irradiated autografts as a method of pelvic reconstruction after internal hemipelvectomy. The study included fifteen patients with primary malignant bone tumours of the pelvis. There were 10 males and 5 females with a mean age of 21.5 years (range, 8 to 46 years). Six patients had Ewing's sarcoma, six osteosarcoma, and three chondrosarcoma.Introduction
Methods
Osteosarcomas represent a heterogeneous group of primary bone tumours that affect predominantly the long bones of patients in the first two decades of life. We aim to describe the secondary effects of a poor response (⋋90% necrosis) to chemotherapy on the effectivity of other treatment outcomes, local recurrence and survival rates. 182 cases of osteosarcoma with necrosis of less than 90% and no metastases at diagnosis have been seen at our institution over 24 years. There were 60 amputations. 122 patients underwent limb salvage, with 105 marginal margins and 17 contaminated. There was no difference in size or location between the two groups. In the 122 patients with LSS, 21 had adjuvant radiotherapy and 101 did not. In the entirety of patients with ⋋90% necrosis, survival was 64% at 2 years and 37% at 5 years. When LSS Marginal resections were compared with amputation there was a significant (P=0.006) difference in survival. LSS with a marginal margin had a 25% risk of LR. In these patients there was 25% survival, whereas the absence of a local recurrence, conferred a benefit of a 40% survival XRT was used in 21 of the 122 who underwent limb salvage. The decision to use XRT was made by the local oncologist at the treating unit. There was a 24% rate of recurrence in the XRT group and 25% with no XRT. These data demonstrated that patients who had a poor response to chemotherapy and underwent an amputation faired poorly when compared to patients with LSS. There is a selection bias in patients selected to undergo amputation. Additionally, patients who underwent amputation had a lower rate of local recurrence, but still had a poorer survival when compared to LSS.
The role of adjuvants in curettage for giant cell tumours (GCT) is still controversial. Our aim was to determine if adjuvant cementation lowers local recurrence (LR) rates for GCTs treated with curettage. Detailed curettage has been the principal treatment for GCT for the past 30 years. Cement was used from 1996 onwards for tumours where there was concern about structural stability. We investigated factors affecting LR and also the incidence of complications for treatment with or without cement.Introduction
Methods
To investigate the effectiveness of silver coated prostheses in preventing periprosthetic infection in a high-risk group. We have used silver coated prostheses in 48 endoprosthetic replacements in whom there would be a high expected risk of infection.Aim
Methods
Myxofibrosarcoma is described by WHO as comprising of a spectrum of malignant fibroblastic lesions with variably myxoid stoma, pleomorphism and with a distinctively curvilinear vascular pattern. They are reported to be one of the commonest sarcomas of elderly patients. It has previously been reported to have a high rate of locally recurrent disease (50-60%). The aim of the study was to investigate the ROH series of tumours to determine prognostic factors for survival and local recurrence. Patients were identified from the ROH database who had been treated with a new presentation of myxofibrosarcoma. The size, grade and depth of the tumour at presentation was noted. Those patients who had suffered local or distal disease relapse or died were highlighted. Analysis was undertaken by Kaplan Meier survival curves for univariate and cox regression for multivariate analysis.Introduction
Methods
The aim was to identify when primary amputation was used as primary treatment and to describe outcomes in patients managed with modern chemotherapy. A detailed review of the electronic patient records was undertaken. Statistical analysis was performed with univariate analysis using Kaplan-Meier curves and Chi2 testing, whilst multivariate analysis was performed using Cox regression analysis. There were 354 osteosarcomas. 93 patients presented with metastases and 192 subsequently developed metastases at a mean of 46 months. Amputation was performed as the primary surgical treatment in 101 patients. Endoprosthetic reconstruction was used in 253 patients. Amputation was performed as a secondary procedure on 15 patients. The 5 and 10 year survival data for all patients, including those with metastatic disease were 60% and 60% for amputation with good chemotherapy response (>89% necrosis), 65% and 63% for limb salvage and good response, 21% and 21% for amputation and poor response (⋋90% necrosis) and 51% and 30% for limb salvage with poor response. Local recurrence occurred both with amputation (10.8%) or limb salvage (9%), with no significant differences between the two. Univariate analysis demonstrated that the extent of response to chemotherapy induced necrosis significantly affected survival, whether the patient had an amputation or not. Whether or not amputation or LSS was used in the surgical management of patients, local recurrence rates where similar between the two groups. Further assessment of chemotherapy-induced necrosis is a key factor in determining subsequent limb salvage or amputation management strategies.
Chondrosarcoma of bone is a surgical disease and excision with wide margins is the optimum treatment. Sometimes the size or location of the tumour at the time of diagnosis mean that only a marginal excision can be achieved. The effect of the margin of excision on outcome is investigated. All patients with newly diagnosed primary chondrosarcoma of bone and without metastases at the time of diagnosis were identified from a prospective database. Their outcome was investigated to assess whether the margin of excision affected outcome. 492 patients were included in the analysis with a mean age of 48. The mean tumour size was 11cm and 59% were male. The 10 year tumour specific survival was 85% for clear cell (N=7) and grade 1 (N=210), 60% for grade 2 (N=180), 47% for grade 3 (N=59) and 16% for dedifferentiated (N=36). The 10 year local recurrence free survival was 86% (clear cell), 73% (grade 1), 67% (grade 2), 36% (grade 3) and 56% dedifferentiated. Local recurrence was strongly related to older age (p=0.0065), grade (p⋋0.0001) and margins (p⋋0.0001). Patients who developed local recurrence had a 43% survival at 10 years compared with 76% for those who did not (p⋋0.0001). They also had a 49% risk of developing metastases compared to a 17% risk for those without local recurrence (p⋋0.0001). However most of these patients had metastases before developing LR(57%). 16 of 65 patients with local recurrence but no metastases, died due to local progression (usually pelvic or spinal tumours). There was however no relation of the margin of excision to either the risk of developing metastases or survival for any grade of tumour.Method
Results
To determine the overall survival of patients with Pelvic Ewing's Sarcoma treated in our unit and to identify prognostic factors in pelvic primaries that could be used to select patients who would most likely benefit from high intensity treatment. Between 1977 and 2009, 80 male and 66 female patients aged 2 to 60 (mean, 18) years with Pelvic Ewing's Sarcomas were retrospectively reviewed from the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Oncology Service Registry. Treatments included surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or any of them in combination. Event-free (from presentation to recurrence) and overall (from presentation to death/latest follow-up) survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan- Meier method. Influence of various factors (age at diagnosis, gender, tumour site, metastasis at presentation, surgery (and surgical margins), radiotherapy, and type of treatment on survival was assessed using SPSS 14.0 statistical software.Aim
Method
Since1986 we have monitored the actual diagnosis of all cases referred to our Unit with the diagnosis of ‘possible primary malignant bone tumour’. We have excluded all patients referred with a known diagnosis of either a benign condition or known to have bone metastases. In most cases the suspected diagnosis was based on X-rays alone, sometimes supported by further imaging. Retrospective review of a prospective database that was started in 1986 identifying the actual diagnosis. There were 5922 patients with a confirmed diagnosis over the 23 year time period of this study. 2205 (37%) were found to have a primary malignant bone sarcoma and 1309 (22%) had a benign bone tumour. 992 patients had a general orthopaedic condition (e.g. geode or a vascular necrosis) whilst 303 (5%) had a haematological malignancy and 289 (4.9%) infection. 533 patients (9%) had metastases. There was a similar pattern of frequency of all diagnoses except for metastatic disease and haematologic malignancy at different ages. The incidence of metastases increased from the age of 35 onwardsMethod
Results
The outcome for patients with Ewing's sarcoma recurrence is poor. Local recurrences occur in 8%-25%of these patients. The aim of the study was to analyze the patients who had a local recurrence to identify factors predicting the local recurrence and if it could be prevented A retrospective analysis of 650 patients who had a diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma treated between 1975 and 2009 at a single institution was performed and 64 patients (10%) who had a local recurrence were identified and analysed. Fifteen patients had metastases at diagnosis.20 patients had chemotherapy and radiotherapy only while 44 had chemotherapy and surgery +/− post op radiotherapy. Thirteen patients who were suitable for post –operative radiotherapy could not receive the treatment due to various reasons like biological reconstruction. The estimated 5 years survival for the patients was 15%. The risk of local recurrence is higher if the tumour is located in the axial skeleton, treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy alone [location and size of the tumour precluding surgery]. The risk of local recurrence is higher if the tumour was in the fibula or radius. One out of three patients who have good response to chemotherapy still went on to develop a LR. The use of biological reconstruction and younger age group often resulted in deferral of post-operative radiotherapy. Location and type of treatment can predict LR. Surgery with clear margins and post-operative radiotherapy given when indicated may reduce the incidence of LR.Methods
Results
There is currently no standard follow up protocol for patients who have been diagnosed with and treated for high-grade osteosarcoma. We therefore investigated the possibility of creating a risk based follow-up protocol for patients with primary osteosarcomas. 313 patients diagnosed with primary osteosarcomas were studied. The identified risk factors for local recurrence included poor necrosis, inadequate margins and high risk tumour site in the bone. The risk factors for metastases were poor necrosis, inadequate margins, extra-compartmental stage and tumour size ≥5cm. The risk of local recurrence and/or metastases within three years of diagnosis increases as the number of risk factors increase. Patients were grouped according to their number of risk factors. The cumulative risk of metastases for patients with 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 risk factors is 0%, 12%, 21%, 54% and 60% respectively (p=<0.0001). Risk of local recurrence for patients with 0, 1, 2 and 3 risk factors is 5%, 14%, 25% and 20% respectively (p=0.0025). Our investigation shows that by grouping patients together according to their number of identified risk factors, it is possible to identify groups of patients that are most at risk. This information can be used to design an evidence based follow up protocol which would have important implications for clinical practice.
Solitary plasmacytomas in the appendicular skeleton are rare monoclonal expansions of plasmacytoid cells. They are two main hazards; local destruction of bone with resultant loss of function and possible fracture, and progression to Myeloma. Between February 1988 and July 2005 seven patients (4 male, 3 female) were treated for solitary plasmacytoma with surgical resection and endoprosthetic reconstruction. The median age was 46.7 (35-75). The site was: distal humerus (2), proximal humerus (2) proximal femur (2) proximal tibia (1). Three patients had sustained a pathological fracture. Five patients had received pre-operative radiotherapy and three received post-operative radiotherapy. Mean follow-up is 8.6 years. Two cases became infected at 2 and 5 years post-operatively and have had revisions of their endoprosthesis. Both remain functional at 18 and 15 years. No patient has suffered a local recurrence. Two patients have progressed to multiple Myeloma but no patients have died. Literature review shows that the progression of solitary bone plasmacytoma to Myeloma is around 53% despite radiotherapy, in an average period of 2-4 years. With resection and endoprosthetic reconstruction, the progression in this series has been 28% despite an average follow up of 8.6 years. Although the numbers are small, due to the rarity of the condition, surgical resection and endoprosthetic reconstruction reduces disease progression than radiotherapy alone. This produces far superior results compared to the intramedullary nailing of the long bones for this condition. Endoprosthetic reconstruction after resection should be given consideration in cases of solitary plasmacytoma of the appendicular skeleton when there is extensive bone destruction present. The optimal timing of local radiotherapy to be combined with surgery is still to be established.
We performed a retrospective review of 98 patients with malignant tumours of the periacetabular region, treated by resection and endoprosthetic reconstruction between 1971 and 2005 at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore and The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham. The mean age of the patients was 43.6 years (10 to 76). 53 patients (54%) were male. The age distribution demonstrated peaks in the 2nd and 6th decades. The mean follow up was 65 months (2 to 405. The overall 10-year survival rate was 56% (determined by the Kaplan-Meier method). 54 patients (58.1%) had one or more complications. Infection was the most common (30%) with the majority occurring in the first 2 years. Dislocation occurred in 19 (20%) of our patients all in the first year following surgery. All were recurrent with a mean of 2.9 (2 to 6) episodes. Operations performed before 1994 were associated with a dislocation rate of 40.5% and after 1996 the rate was only 3.9% (p < 0.001). Function was assessed according the Toronto Extremity Salvage Sore (TESS). The overall TESS was 59.4. In patients that had a major complication the TESS was 37.1 but in the group that did not the TESS was 70.3 (p < 0.001). Men experienced higher rates of death, infection and revision than women (p < 0.05). The local recurrence rate was 31% with high grade tumours associated with higher recurrence rates (p < 0.05). Tumour resection in the ilium is associated with higher rates of infection than tumours located in the periacetabular region alone (p < 0.05). This method of reconstruction is still associated with high complication rates. Function is good if a major complication can be avoided. The lower dislocation rate more recently is probably the result of improved surgical technique and the use of larger femoral heads.
Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) arising in the adductor compartment of the thigh are frequently large before clinical detection, posing particular challenges with surgical resection and associated with a high risk of wound complications. This study compares oncological and functional outcomes and complications following treatment of adductor compartment soft tissue sarcomas from three international centres with different treatment philosophies. 184 patients with new primary, non-metastatic, deep STS in the adductor compartment diagnosed between 1990 and 2001 were identified from the centres' local databases. The Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) was used to assess function in patients. There were 94 male and 90 female patients, with ages ranging from 13 to 88 years (median age 57 years). The period of follow-up ranged from 1 to 162 months. The overall survival was 65% at 5 years and related to grade and size of the tumour. There was no difference in overall survival or systemic relapse between the three centres. There was however a significant difference in local control (28% LR in centre 1 compared to 10% in centre 2 and 5% in centre 3, which appeared to be principally related to the use of radiotherapy and surgical margins.) 66 patients (36%) from the three centres developed wound complications post-operatively and it was shown to be associated with high grade and large tumours (>10cm). Functional scores averaged 78% but were significantly worse for patients with wound complications or high-grade tumours; however, they were not affected by timing of radiotherapy or use of prophylactic free muscle flaps. This large series of adductor compartment STS has shown that survival factors do not vary across international boundaries but that treatment factors affect complications, local recurrence and function. Centralisation of adjuvant treatment like radiotherapy may have an important role in improving local control.Conclusion
We reviewed our initial seven-year experience
with a non-invasive extendible prosthesis in 34 children with primary bone
tumours. The distal femur was replaced in 25 cases, total femur
in five, proximal femur in one and proximal tibia in three. The
mean follow-up was 44 months (15 to 86) and 27 patients (79%) remain
alive. The prostheses were lengthened by an electromagnetic induction
mechanism in an outpatient setting and a mean extension of 32 mm
(4 to 80) was achieved without anaesthesia. There were lengthening
complications in two children: failed lengthening in one and the
formation of scar tissue in the other. Deep infection developed
in six patients (18%) and local recurrence in three. A total of
11 patients required further surgery to the leg. Amputation was
necessary in five patients (20%) and a two-stage revision in another.
There were no cases of loosening, but two patients had implant breakage
and required revision. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society functional
score was 85% (60% to 100%) at last known follow-up. These early
results demonstrate that the non-invasive extendible prosthesis
allows successful lengthening without surgical intervention, but
the high incidence of infection is a cause for concern.
To identify patient, tumour or treatment factors that influence outcome in patients with radiation induced sarcoma of bone. A retrospective review of an oncology database supplemented by referral back to original records.Aim
Method
Primary malignant bone tumours frequently arise in children close to the knee, hip or shoulder. Resection of the tumour will often require excision of the epiphysis and frequently one side of the involved joint. In these children an extendable endoprosthesis is usually required to allow for maintenance of limb length equality. We have used 180 extendable endoprostheses in 176 children since 1975. The indication for use of an extendable prosthesis was if there was more than 30mm of growth remaining in the resected bone. The age of the patients ranged from 2 to 15 and 99 were boys. The sites of the endoprostheses used were: distal femur in 91, proximal tibia in 42, proximal femur in 11, total femur in 6 and proximal or total humerus in 26. 131 of the operations were for osteosarcoma and 34 for Ewing's. Five types of lengthening mechanism have been used. Two designs used a worm screw gear, one type used a C collar, one type a ball bearing mechanism and the latest uses a non invasive lengthening system whereby a motor inside the prosthesis is activated by an electromagnetic field. Of the 176 patients, 59 have died and of the remainder, 89 have reached skeletal maturity. 19 patients had an amputation, 11 due to local recurrence and 8 due to infection. The risk of infection was 19% in surviving patients. Most of the skeletally mature had equal leg lengths. The average number of operations was 11 but ranged between 2 and 29. Most operations were for lengthening but younger children always needed revisions of the prosthesis. Functional scores were 77%. Extendable endoprostheses are demanding both for the patient and the surgeon. The high complication rate should be decreased by non invasive lengthening prostheses.
All patients referred to our unit with previously untreated metastatic renal cancer were included in this review. We investigated likely prognostic factors including age, sex, site, synchronous or metachronous metastasis, stage of the disease and the type of treatment received. From 1976 until 2004, a total of 198 patients were treated by our unit for renal metastases. 15 patients were excluded because they were referred after failure of previous treatment or only had advice. 96 patients were already known to have renal metastasis with their diagnosis having been made between 0.2 and 17 years from the diagnosis of primary cancer (mean 4 years). 33 patients presented to us with a pathological fracture and were found to have renal cancer. A total of 54 patients had multiple metastases and 129 had a solitary metastasis. The cumulative survival from the time of diagnosis of the bone metastasis is 70 percent at 1 year, 40% at 3 years and 18% at 5 years. In patients with a solitary metastasis, the overall survival was 74% at 1 year and 45% at 3 years, whereas in patients with multiple metastases it was 55% at 1 year and 22% at 3 years. (p=0.02) In patients with a solitary metastasis treated by excision of the metastasis, the survival at 1 year was 86% as compared to 38% for those that were treated with just a local procedure. Cox multivariate analysis shows that survival was better in those with solitary metachronus metastasis who underwent a radical procedure. We recommend a radical procedure for patients who present with a solitary renal metastasis, particularly those with a disease-free interval of more than one year.Conclusion
The theoretical benefit historically attributed to rota-tionplasty lies in the provision of a functional and durable hinge joint, however these results suggest that this advantage has been negated by modern endoprostheses, probably due to improvements in surgical experience and prosthesis technology.
We investigated the eventual diagnosis in patients referred to a tertiary centre with a possible diagnosis of a primary bone malignancy. We reviewed our database from between 1986 and 2010, during which time 5922 patients referred with a suspicious bone lesion had a confirmed diagnosis. This included bone sarcoma in 2205 patients (37%), benign bone tumour in 1309 (22%), orthopaedic conditions in 992 (17%), metastatic disease in 533 (9%), infection in 289 (5%) and haematological disease in 303 (5%). There was a similar frequency of all diagnoses at different ages except for metastatic disease. Only 0.6% of patients (17 of 2913) under the age of 35 years had metastatic disease compared with 17.1% (516 of 3009) of those over 35 years (p <
0.0001). Of the 17 patients under 35 years with metastatic disease, only four presented with an isolated lesion, had no past history of cancer and were systematically well. Patients under the age of 35 years should have suitable focal imaging (plain radiography, CT or MRI) and simple systemic studies (blood tests and chest radiography). Reduction of the time to biopsy can be achieved by avoiding an unnecessary investigation for a primary tumour to rule out metastatic disease.
Non-invasive expandable prostheses for limb salvage tumour surgery were first used in 2002. These implants allow ongoing lengthening of the operated limb to maintain limb-length equality and function while avoiding unnecessary repeat surgeries and the phenomenon of anniversary operations. A large series of skeletally immature patients have been treated with these implants at the two leading orthopaedic oncology centres in England (Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, and Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham). An up to date review of these patients has been made, documenting the relevant diagnoses, sites of tumour and types of implant used. 74 patients were assessed, with an age range of 7 – 16 years and follow up range of 4 – 88 months. We identified five problems with lengthening. One was due to soft tissue restriction which resolved following excision of the hindering tissue. Another was due to autoclaving of the prosthesis prior to insertion and this patient, along with two others, all had successful further surgery to replace the gearbox. Another six patients required mechanism revision when the prosthesis had reached its maximal length. Complications included one fracture of the prosthesis that was revised successfully and six cases of metalwork infection (two of which were present prior to insertion of the implant and three of which were treated successfully with silver-coated implants). There were no cases of aseptic loosening. Overall satisfaction was high with the patients avoiding operative lengthening and tolerating the non-invasive lengthenings well. Combined with satisfactory survivorship and functional outcome, we commend its use in the immature population of long bone tumour cases.
Endoprosthetic replacement of the pelvis is one of the most challenging types of limb-salvage surgery, with a high rate of complications. In an attempt to reduce this and build greater versatility into the reconstruction process, a new type of pelvic endoprosthesis was developed in 2003, based on the old McKee-Farrar prosthesis. This study reviews the outcomes in 27 patients who had an ice-cream cone pelvic prosthesis inserted at two different specialist bone tumour centres in the United Kingdom over the past six years. The indications for treatment included primary bone tumours in 19 patients and metastatic disease in two, and six implants were inserted following failure of a previous pelvic reconstruction. Most of the patients had a P2+P3 resection as classified by Enneking, and most had resection of the ilium above the sciatic notch. The mean age of the patients at operation was 49 years (13 to 81). Complications occurred in ten patients (37.0%), of which dislocation was the most common, affecting four patients (14.8%). A total of three patients (11.1%) developed a deep infection around the prosthesis but all were successfully controlled by early intervention and two patients (7.4%) developed a local recurrence, at the same time as widespread metastases appeared. In one patient the prosthesis was removed for severe pain. This method of treatment is still associated with high morbidity, but early results are promising. Complications are diminishing with increasing experience.
The aim of this study was to identify whether there was any difference in patient, tumour, treatment or outcome characteristics between patients with skeletal or extra-skeletal Ewing’s sarcoma. We identified 300 patients with new primary Ewing’s sarcoma diagnosed between 1980 and 2005 from the centres’ local database. There were 253 (84%) with skeletal and 47 (16%) with extra-skeletal Ewing’s sarcomas. Although patients with skeletal Ewing’s were younger (mean age 16.8 years) than those with extra-skeletal Ewing’s sarcoma (mean age 27.5 years), there was little difference between the groups in terms of tumour stage or treatment. Nearly all the patients were treated with chemotherapy and most had surgery. There was no difference in the overall survival of patients with skeletal (64%) and extra-skeletal Ewing’s sarcoma (61%) (p = 0.85), and this was also the case when both groups were split by whether they had metastases or not. This large series has shown that the oncological outcomes of Ewing’s sarcoma are related to tumour characteristics and patient age, and not determined by whether they arise in bone or soft tissue.
Of 3000 patients diagnosed with primary malignant bone tumours and treated at our unit over the past 25 years, 234 (7.8%) were considered to be spindle cell sarcomas of bone (ie not osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing’s, chordoma or adamantinoma). We have analyzed their management and outcomes. The diagnosis of these cases varied with fluctuations in the popularity of conditions such as MFH, fibrosarcoma and leiomyosarcoma with the passage of time. Treatment was with chemotherapy and surgery whenever possible. 36 patients had metastases at diagnosis and 17 had palliative treatment only because of age or infirmity. The most common site was the femur followed by the tibia, pelvis and humerus. The mean age was 45 and the mean tumour size 10.2cm at diagnosis. 25% of patients presented with a pathological fracture. Chemotherapy was used in 70% of patients the most common regime being cisplatin and doxorubicin. 35% of patients having neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a good (>
90% necrosis) response. The amputation rate was 22% and was higher in patients presenting with a fracture and in older patients not having chemotherapy. With a mean follow up of 8 years the overall survival was 64% at 5 yrs and 58% at 10 yrs. Adverse prognostic factors included the need for amputation, older age and poor response to chemotherapy as well as a pathological fracture at presentation. The few patients with angiosarcoma fared badly but there was no difference in outcomes between patients with other diagnoses. We conclude that patients with spindle cell sarcomas should be treated similarly to patients with osteosarcoma and can expect comparable outcomes. The histological diagnosis does not appear to predict behaviour.
The two week wait has been established as a potential means of diagnosing malignant tumors earlier and thus hopefully leading to improvements in outcome. There remains controversy as to whether these clinic achieve this end or whether they just speed up treatment of patients already diagnosed (eg by imaging)
The purpose of our study was to examine the survival and functional outcome of endoprosthetic replacements for non-oncology limb salvage purposes. Although initially designed for bone tumours, such is the versatility of these implants they can be used to salvage failed joint replacements, peri-prosthetic fractures, failed internal fixation and non-union. Thirty eight procedures were identified from September 1995 to June 2007 from a prospectively kept database, including 17 distal femoral replacements, 12 proximal femoral replacements, 4 proximal humeral replacements, 2 distal humeral replacements, 2 hemi-pelvic replacements and 1 total femoral replacement. The quality of patients’ mobility was used to assess functional outcome and the survival of the prosthesis was calculated using a Kaplan-Meier survival curve. The Kaplan-Meier implant survival was 91.3% at 5 years, 68.5% at 10 years and 45.7% at 20 years. The limb salvage survival for all reconstructions was 75% at 10 years. The best survival was as follows pelvic (n=0/2) and total femoral prostheses where there was no failure in either group (n=0/1). Distal femoral replacements survival was 91% at 5 years, a single humeral prosthesis failed at 11 years post surgery, and proximal femoral replacements had a survival at 87.5% at 5 years. Three implants failed, two as a result of infection and required staged revisions and 1 failed as a result of aseptic loosening. Two patients dislocated their proximal femoral replacements, both were treated successfully by closed reduction. Endoprosthetic replacement appears to be effective and the medium term survival is encouraging. The aim of a pain free functional limb is achievable with this technique. The complication rates are acceptable considering the salvage nature of these patients. We recommend referral of complex cases to a tertiary centre with expertise in this type of surgery.
Endoprosthetic replacement of the pelvis is one of the most challenging types of limb salvage surgery with a high rate of complications. In order to try and decrease the high risk of complications and to allow greater versatility in the reconstruction options, a new concept of pelvic endoprosthesis was developed in 2003. Since then 20 of these ice cream cone pelvic prostheses have been inserted at our centre incorporating antibiotic laden cement around the prosthesis to minimize infection risk.
These results suggest that the functional benefit historically attributed to rotationplasty has been negated by modern endoprostheses, probably due to improvements in surgical experience and prosthesis technology.
Patients who undergo soft tissue sarcoma excision accumulate serosanguinous fluid, potentially resulting in a seroma. This can lead to wound complications and delay post-op radiotherapy. The purpose of this preliminary report is to assess the impact of routine application of Tisseel sealant prior to closure. We investigated whether the sealant Tisseel is effective as a sealing agent to reduce the duration and volume of serosanguinous fluid drainage. Results were compared with individually matched controls. Patients were split into 2 groups: those receiving 10mls sealant and those not receiving the sealant. Efficacy was evaluated by the number of days required for wound drainage, the volume of fluid drainage and the length of stay compared with matched controls. The preliminary findings suggest that application of the sealant reduced the duration and quantity of fluid drainage after excision of the STS, allowing earlier discharge from hospital. We present this work to suggest that the members of the British Orthopaedic Oncology Society should consider using this in a randomised controlled trial setting to evaluate its efficacy nationally.
We have compared the cost:benefit ratio of the new type of non invasive extendable prostheses with the old type which required lengthening under general anaesthetic with an invasive procedure. Over the past four years we have inserted 27 non invasive endoprostheses (cost £14,000). Two have failed to lengthen due to problems with the inbuilt motor. So far there have been no infections, no loosenings and no patient has required revision. The lengthenings are painless and take half an hour. In the past 25 years we inserted 175 extendable endoprostheses (cost £7,000). All lengthenings were performed under a general anaesthetic. The risk of infection was initially 20% at ten years but had decreased to 8%. Pain and stiffness arose in about 10% requiring physiotherapy or occasionally manipulation under anaesthetic. Assuming the following costs (current NHS cost) are accurate and appropriate, then the non invasive extendable prosthesis becomes cost effective when Cost EPR <
Cost old EPR + (Additional risk physio(P) x cost) + (additional cost x number of lengthenings (L)) + (additional cost of revision for infection x risk of infection (R)). 14000 <
7000 + (300 x P) + (1500 x L) + (20000 x R). Assuming a 10% need for physiotherapy, four lengthenings and a 10% risk of infection gives: 14000 <
7000 + (30) +(6000) + (2000) = 15030. Given the high complication rate of the old type of extendable procedure and assuming there are few if any with the non invasive type, then the non-invasive endoprostheses becomes cost effective if more than three lengthenings are required. They are certainly more popular with parents and children alike!
Low grade central osteosarcoma is a rare intramedullary bone producing tumour. It accounts for only 1–2% of all osteosarcomas. Due to the indolent nature of low grade central osteosarcoma, achieving a correct and prompt diagnosis is the real challenge both from imaging and histology, particularly as it may resemble a benign condition, i.e. Fibrous Dysplasia. We have reviewed 15 cases of low grade central osteosarcoma with long term follow-up (2 to 22 years) to identify problems in diagnosis and treatment and to assess outcome. There were 7 females and 8 males with a mean age of 37 yrs (range 11 to 72 years); 13 cases arose in the lower limb (8 femur, 4 tibia, 1 os calcis), 1 in the pelvis and 1 in the upper limb. The average duration of symptoms prior to presentation was over 2yrs. A primary diagnosis of low grade central osteosarcoma was achieved for only 6 cases (4 open and 2 needle biopsies), in the other 9 the primary diagnoses were GCT, cystic lesion or fibrous lesion (both benign and malignant) and all of them had undergone treatment (usually curettage with or without bone grafting for this). Definitive treatment was with surgery attempting to obtain wide margins. Marginal excision was associated with local recurrence in three cases but there were no local recurrences in patients who had a wide excision, even in those with prior treatment. Only one patient has died following the development of multiple metastases after 9 years. The survival rate is 90% at 15 years. We present this study to show the difficulties in diagnosing this rare type of osteosarcoma and to highlight the importance of wide surgical margins to obtain local control.
Primary treatment was by curettage alone in 195, curettage and bone grafting in 7, aspiration and injection of steroids or bone marrow in 7, excision in 5 and observation alone in 17. The rate of local recurrence requiring further surgery was 12% with all local recurrences (but one) arising within 18 months. Local recurrence was not related to site, age, sex or whether the patient had previous treatment or not. Local recurrences were managed with curettage alone in 19 of the 23 cases, with one having embolisation, one excision and 2 curettage and bone grafting. This was successful in all but 3 cases who were controlled with a third procedure.
Of 3000 patients diagnosed with primary malignant bone tumours and treated at our unit over the past 25 years, 234 (7.8%) were considered to be spindle cell sarcomas of bone (ie not osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing’s, chordoma or adamantinoma). We have analyzed their management and outcomes. The diagnosis of these cases varied with fluctuations in the popularity of conditions such as MFH, fibrosarcoma and leiomyosarcoma with the passage of time. Treatment was with chemotherapy and surgery whenever possible. 36 patients had metastases at diagnosis and 17 had palliative treatment only because of age or infirmity. The most common site was the femur followed by the tibia, pelvis and humerus. The mean age was 45 and the mean tumour size 10.2cm at diagnosis. 25% of patients presented with a pathological fracture. Chemotherapy was used in 70% of patients the most common regime being cisplatin and doxorubicin. 35% of patients having neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a good (>
90% necrosis) response. The amputation rate was 22% and was higher in patients presenting with a fracture and in older patients not having chemotherapy. With a mean follow up of 8 years the overall survival was 64% at 5 yrs and 58% at 10 yrs. Adverse prognostic factors included the need for amputation, older age and poor response to chemotherapy as well as a pathological fracture at presentation. The few patients with angiosarcoma fared badly but there was no difference in outcomes between patients with other diagnoses. We conclude that patients with spindle cell sarcomas should be treated similarly to patients with osteosarcoma and can expect comparable outcomes. The histological diagnosis does not appear to predict behaviour.
Low grade central osteosarcoma is a rare intramedullary bone producing tumour. It accounts for only 1–2% of all osteosarcomas. Due to the indolent nature of low grade central osteosarcoma, achieving a correct and prompt diagnosis is the real challenge both from imaging and histology, particularly as it may resemble a benign condition, i.e. Fibrous Dysplasia. We have reviewed 15 cases of low grade central osteosarcoma with long term follow-up (2 to 22 years) to identify problems in diagnosis and treatment and to assess outcome. There were 7 females and 8 males with a mean age of 37 yrs (range 11 to 72 years); 13 cases arose in the lower limb (8 femur, 4 tibia, 1 os calcis), 1 in the pelvis and 1 in the upper limb. The average duration of symptoms prior to presentation was over 2yrs. A primary diagnosis of low grade central osteosarcoma was achieved for only 6 cases (4 open and 2 needle biopsies), in the other 9 the primary diagnoses were GCT, cystic lesion or fibrous lesion (both benign and malignant) and all of them had undergone treatment (usually curettage with or without bone grafting for this). Definitive treatment was with surgery attempting to obtain wide margins. Marginal excision was associated with local recurrence in three cases but there were no local recurrences in patients who had a wide excision, even in those with prior treatment. Only one patient has died following the development of multiple metastases after 9 years. The survival rate is 90% at 15 years. We present this study to show the difficulties in diagnosing this rare type of osteosarcoma and to highlight the importance of wide surgical margins to obtain local control.
Ewing’s sarcoma principally arises in bone but can also present as a soft tissue tumour. Very few studies have assessed the outcomes of extra-skeletal Ewing’s sarcomas. This study compares the oncological outcomes of the two forms of Ewing’s sarcomas to see if there is any difference in prognostic factors. 198 patients with primary, non metastatic Ewing’s sarcoma diagnosed between 1980 and 2005 were identified from our database. There were 118 males and 80 females with a median age of 15 years. The three most common sites of diagnosis were the femur (24%), pelvis (15%) and tibia (13%). There were 169(85%) bony Ewing’s and 29 (15%) extra-skeletal Ewing’s sarcomas. All patients received chemotherapy. 86% of the patients had surgery for local control but 28(14%) patients had radiotherapy. The overall survival at five years was 89% and was related to the age of patient (92% <
16years p=0.005), size (p=0.03) and site of tumour (p=0.004) as well as the response to chemotherapy. There was no difference in the overall survival of patients with bony Ewing’s (90%) and extra-skeletal Ewing’s (85%) (p=0.85). There was a 10% risk of local recurrence at 5 years with site of tumour (p=0.01) and surgical excision (p=0.05) being significant prognostic factors. The risk of local recurrence was also not related to the type of Ewing’s sarcoma. This large series has shown that the oncological outcomes of Ewing’s sarcoma is related to tumour characteristics, patient age and treatment factors and not determined by the tissue component.
Disappearing bone disease is also known as vanishing bone disease, phantom bone disease, massive osteolysis, Gorham’s disease or Gorham-Stout disease. Basically, it is characterised by osteolysis in (contiguous) bone segments, due to localised proliferation of thin-walled vascular channels in the bone and surrounding soft tissues. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition remain poorly understood and largely unclear, but there is increasing evidence that disordered lymphangiogenesis plays a role. It is an extremely rare cause of osteolysis, so all other differential diagnoses should be considered and ruled out before retaining the diagnosis of disappearing bone disease. Treatment is fairly disappointing and no single treatment modality has proven effective in actually arresting the disease. Conservative treatment includes ant-resorptive agents (bisphosphonates), immunomodulating substances and radiation therapy, whereas surgical treatment options include resection and reconstruction with bone grafts and/or prostheses versus amputation. We report on the only two cases that were identified in our database between 1984 and 2008, both affecting the lower limb (one tibia, one femur). In an attempt to limb salvage, these patients initially underwent endoprosthetic replacement of the affected bone segment, but due to disease progression both eventually ended up with a hip disarticulation.
Given that the incidence of bone sarcomas is 9/million population per year, our 3000 patients represent 333 million population years. When the incidence of a condition is known in the population this allows an estimation of the risk of malignancy compared with the normal population. Retinoblastoma for instance is known to arise in 1 in 16000 births. The 7 malignancies we saw thus represents a risk to individuals with retinoblastoma of 336/million/yr – a figure 37 times the risk of the normal population. Approximate figures of risk have been calculated for other entities.
Malignant tumours of the radius compose only 3% of all upper limb tumours. Owing to their rarity they are often difficult to manage satisfactorily. Of the options for fixation available, endoprosthetic replacements have been scarcely utilized despite their success in limb preservation with malignant tumours in other parts of the body. At our centre we have used these when biological solutions (eg fibula graft) were not indicated due to extensive disease or the need for radiotherapy. We performed four endoprosthetic replacements of the distal radius in three males and one female with ages ranging from 19–66 years (average= 42.25 years of age). Two were performed for varieties of osteosarcoma (parosteal and osteoblastic osteosarcomas), one for a large destructive giant cell tumour (GCT) and one for destructive renal metastases. Three were right sided (75%) and one left sided (25%). Medical records were evaluated for information on local recurrence, metastases, complications and functional outcome using the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS). Follow up ranged from 22 to 205 months (average= 116.5 months). The average TESS score was 58.1% (range= 44.6–74.5%). Neither case of osteosarcoma recurred. The GCT recurred twice and the patient with renal metastases had nodules removed from his affected wrist on two further occasions. There were no cases of infection, but the two earlier cases had problems with metacarpal stems cutting out and jointsubluxatinos. The two earlier cases have since died at 205 (parosteal osteosarcoma) and 189 months (GCT) respectively of other disease. We conclude that although this is a very small series of endoprosthetic replacement of the distal radius, the technique is a useful addition to the surgical options, with acceptable postoperative functional results and complication rates when a biological solution or preservation of the wrist joint is not indicated.
The 38 procedures were identified from September 1995 to June 2007 and included 17 distal femoral replacements, 12 proximal femoral replacements, 4 proximal humeral replacements, 2 distal humeral replacements, 2 hemi-pelvic replacements and 1 total femoral replacement. EPR survivorship was calculated using a Kaplan-Meier survival curve. The quality of patients’ mobility and performance of activities of daily living was used to assess functional outcome.
87.4% of patients who underwent a lower limb EPR achieved a satisfactory or very satisfactory functional outcome. 100% of patients achieved a satisfactory or very satisfactory functional outcome in the upper limb EPR group. 3 implants failed, 2 as a result of infection and required staged revisions, 1 eventually requiring amputation, and 1 failed as a result of aseptic loosening. 2 patients dislocated their proximal femoral replacements, both were treated successfully by closed reduction. Despite the salvage surgery subsequent amputation was only required in one patient.
Overall cumulative patient survival was 58% at 5 years and 44% at 10 years. Locally recurrent disease occurred in 350 patients (14%), 204 patients (8%) presented with and 720 patients (30%) subsequently developed metastatic disease. Prognostic factors for locally recurrent disease were arm tumours (p=0.003, HR=0.3), hip tumours (p=0.01, HR=0.31), thigh tumours (p=0.002, HR=0.52), intralesional margins (p<
0.0001, HR=3.7), high grade tumours (p=0.03, HR=1.8), tumour size 3–6cm (p=0.04, HR=0.54) and tumour size 6–10cm (p=0.03, HR=0.63). Prognostic factors for patient survival were deep location (p=0.02, HR=1.6), high grade tumours (p<
0.0001, HR=4.7), intermediate grade tumours (p<
0.0001, HR=3.4), surgical margins (p=0.04), age at diagnosis (p<
0.0001, HR=1.02), size of tumour <
3cms (p=0.04, HR=0.29), 3–6cms (p<
0.0001, HR=0.41), 6–10cms (p=0.007, HR=0.63), no locally recurrent disease (p=0.0001, HR=0.59).
Of the 7242 patients with soft tissue lumps, 476 had a past history of malignancy. Of these patients, only 12% actually had a soft tissue metastasis while 28% had a benign diagnosis, 55% a soft tissue sarcoma and 5% other malignancy.
In our database of 7935 patients referred for investigation of a soft-tissue mass, only 100 were found to have a soft-tissue metastasis (1.3%). Our aim was to define the clinical features of such patients and to identify the site of their primary tumour. The most common presentation was a painful lump, deep to the fascia, ranging between 2 cm and 35 cm (mean 8.3 cm) with 78% of the lumps located deep to the fascia. The mean age of the patients at presentation was 64 years (22 to 84) and there were almost equal numbers of men and women. Of 53 patients with a history of malignancy, 52 had metastases from the same primary (lung in 12, melanoma in ten, kidney in nine, gastrointestinal track in four, breast in five, bladder in four, and others in eight). The other 47 had no history of malignancy and the metastasis was the first presentation. The primary sites in these cases were the lung in 19, gastro-intestinal track in four, kidney in two, melanoma in nine, other in three, and unknown (despite investigations) in ten. There was no correlation between the site of the metastases and the primary tumour. Of the 7935 patients, 516 had a history of malignancy. Of these, only 10% had a soft-tissue metastasis, 29% had a benign diagnosis, 55% a soft-tissue sarcoma and 6% another malignancy. Patients with soft-tissue metastases have similar clinical features to those with soft-tissue sarcomas and should be considered for assessment at appropriate diagnostic centres for patients with suspicious soft-tissue lumps.
We reviewed the treatment and clinical outcome of 32 consecutive patients with Ewing’s sarcoma who presented with or developed pathological fracture after biopsy between 1984 and 2004. The minimum follow-up was 18 months. The mean age at diagnosis was 20 years (5 – 51). There were 18 males and 14 females. All patients were newly diagnosed and had localized disease at the time of diagnosis. 21 patients presented with pathological fracture while 11 patients developed fracture during the course of chemotherapy. The femur was the most common location in 15 patients. All the patients had chemotherapy according to the protocol current at the time of treatment. 6 patients had radiotherapy alone while 26 patients underwent surgical excision and reconstruction. Of the patients who had surgery, 7 patients had adjuvant radiotherapy. Fracture healing was the norm after pre-operative chemotherapy. Surgical margins were wide in 17 patients, marginal in 4 and intralesional in 3 patients. Local recurrence developed in one patient (3%). Metastases occurred in 12 patients (37%). At the time of review 16 patients were free of disease, 3 were alive with disease and 13 patients had died of disease. The cumulative 5 year metastases free and overall survival in all the patients was 58% and 61 % respectively and similar to patients with Ewing’s sarcoma without fracture treated at our centre. The prognosis of patients who presented with fracture was exactly similar to those who developed fracture in the course of treatment. We conclude that limb preserving surgery is perfectly safe in patients with Ewing’s sarcoma who have associated pathological fracture and survival is not in any way compromised. Survival of patients who present with fracture is similar to those who develop fracture in the course of treatment. The exact role of adjuvant radiotherapy in these patients needs to be clarified.
We undertook a cemental unipolar proximal femoral endoprosthetic replacement in 131 patients with a mean age of 50 years (2 to 84). Primary malignant tumours were present in 54 patients and 67 had metastatic disease. In addition, eight patients had either lymphoma or myeloma and two had non-oncological disorders. The mean follow-up was 27 months (0 to 180). An acetabular revision was required later in 14 patients, 12 of whom had been under the age of 21 years at the time of insertion of their original prosthesis. The risk of acetabular revision in patients over 21 years of age was 8% at five years compared with 36% in those aged under 21 years. All the unipolar hips in this younger age group required revision within 11 years of the initial operation. We conclude that unipolar replacement should not be used in younger patients and should be avoided in patients with a life expectancy of more than five years.
Endoprosthetic replacement of the proximal femur may be required to treat primary bone tumours or destructive metastases either with impending or established pathological fracture. Modular prostheses are available off the shelf and can be adapted to most reconstructive situations for this purpose. We have assessed the clinical and functional outcome of using the METS (Stanmore Implants Worldwide) modular tumour prosthesis to reconstruct the proximal femur in 100 consecutive patients between 2001 and 2006. We compared the results with the published series for patients managed with modular and custom-made endoprosthetic replacements for the same conditions. There were 52 males and 48 females with a mean age of 56.3 years (16 to 84) and a mean follow-up of 24.6 months (0 to 60). In 65 patients the procedure was undertaken for metastases, in 25 for a primary bone tumour, and in ten for other malignant conditions. A total of 46 patients presented with a pathological fracture, and 19 presented with failed fixation of a previous pathological fracture. The overall patient survival was 63.6% at one year and 23.1% at five years, and was significantly better for patients with a primary bone tumour than for those with metastatic tumour (82.3% vs 53.3%, respectively at one year (p = 0.003)). There were six early dislocations of which five could be treated by closed reduction. No patient needed revision surgery for dislocation. Revision surgery was required by six (6%) patients, five for pain caused by acetabular wear and one for tumour progression. Amputation was needed in four patients for local recurrence or infection. The estimated five-year implant survival with revision as the endpoint was 90.7%. The mean Toronto Extremity Salvage score was 61% (51% to 95%). The implant survival and complications resulting from the use of the modular system were comparable to the published series of both custom-made and other modular proximal femoral implants. We conclude that at intermediate follow-up the modular tumour prosthesis for proximal femur replacement provides versatility, a low incidence of implant-related complications and acceptable function for patients with metastatic tumours, pathological fractures and failed fixation of the proximal femur. It also functions as well as a custom-made endoprosthetic replacement.
We treated 98 patients with peri-acetabular tumours by resection and reconstruction with a custom-made pelvic endoprosthesis. The overall survival of the patients was 67% at five years, 54% at ten years and 51% at 30 years. One or more complications occurred in 58.1% of patients (54), of which infection was the most common, affecting 30% (28 patients). The rate of local recurrence was 31% (29 patients) after a mean follow-up of 71 months (11 to 147). Dislocation occurred in 20% of patients (19). Before 1996 the rate was 40.5% (17 patients) but this was reduced to 3.9% (two patients) with the introduction of a larger femoral head. There were six cases of palsy of the femoral nerve with recovery in only two. Revision or excision arthroplasty was performed in 23.7% of patients (22), principally for uncontrolled infection or aseptic loosening. Higher rates of death, infection and revision occurred in men. This method of treatment is still associated with high morbidity. Patients should be carefully selected and informed of this pre-operatively.
We reviewed the treatment and clinical outcome of 32 consecutive patients with Ewing’s sarcoma who presented with or developed pathological fracture after biopsy between 1984 and 2004. The minimum follow-up was 18 months. The mean age at diagnosis was 20 years (5 – 51). There were 18 males and 14 females. All patients were newly diagnosed and had localized disease at the time of diagnosis. 21 patients presented with pathological fracture while 11 patients developed fracture during the course of chemotherapy. The femur was the most common location in 15 patients. All the patients had chemotherapy according to the protocol current at the time of treatment. 7 patients had radiotherapy alone while 25 patients underwent surgical excision and reconstruction. Of the patients who had surgery, 7 patients had adjuvant radiotherapy. Fracture healing was the norm after pre-operative chemotherapy. Surgical margins were wide in 17 patients, marginal in 4 and intralesional in 3 patients. Local recurrence developed in one patient (3%). Metastases occurred in 12 patients (37%). At the time of review 16 patients were free of disease, 3 were alive with disease and 13 patients had died of disease. The cumulative 5 year metastases free and overall survival in all the patients was 58% and 61 % respectively and similar to patients with Ewing’s sarcoma without fracture treated at our centre. The prognosis of patients who presented with fracture was exactly similar to those who developed fracture in the course of treatment. We conclude that limb preserving surgery is perfectly safe in patients with Ewing’s sarcoma who have associated pathological fracture and survival is not in any way compromised. Survival of patients who present with fracture is similar to those who develop fracture in the course of treatment. The exact role of adjuvant radiotherapy in these patients needs to be clarified.
We report the results of contained bone defects after curettage of benign bone tumours of the distal radius treated without bone grafting or the use of bone substitute. 11 consecutive patients treated with follow-up of 3 to 11 years (mean 5.7 years) were studied. The mean age at diagnosis was 27 (range 11 to 55). There were7 males and 4 females. Histological diagnosis was giant cell tumour in 8 and aneurismal bone cyst in 3 patients. The mean bone defect at diagnosis was 23.7cm3 (9.2 – 68cm3). Pathological fracture was present in 5 patients prior to surgery. We observed full radiological consolidation of the defects in all the patients within 12 months of surgery. Radiologically detectable osteoarthritis was noted in 5 patients (grade 1 in two patients, grade 2 in one and grade 4 in two patients). Development of osteoarthritis was significantly related to size of the defect and involvement of the joint by the original tumour. No patient without joint involvement developed osteoarthritis. There was no relationship between pathological fracture and development of osteoarthritis. We conclude that contained bone defects in the distal radius do rapidly consolidate without the use of bone grafting or bone substitute. The bone remodels nicely over time. Development of osteoarthritis is related to the damage to the articular defect caused by the tumour.
Synovial sarcoma is a morphologically well-defined neoplasm that most commonly occurs in soft tissue accounting for 5% to 10 % of all soft tissue sarcomas. We reviewed 156 patients with synovial sarcoma of soft tissues treated at a supra-regional centre to determine survival and prognostic factors. There were 77men and 79 women with mean age at presentation of 38 years (3 to 84). Follow-up periods ranged from 3 to 494 months (median 43 months). Tumor was located in lower extremities in 111patients, upper extremities in 34 patients, and trunk and pelvis in 11 patients. Overall survival was 66% at 5 years and 48% at 10 years. The 5 and 10 year survival for the 23 patients who had metastases at the time of diagnosis was 13% and 0% respectively compared to 75% and 54% for those without metastases at diagnosis. Local recurrence occurred in 18 patients (13%). The significant prognostic factors for survival included presence of metastases at diagnosis and development of local recurrence. Tumour size and depth, age of patients and use of chemotherapy did not significantly influence survival. We conclude that the clinical factors which influence survival of patients with synovial sarcoma are different from those of soft tissue sarcomas in general. Biological factors may better predict prognostic survival than the usual clinical factors.
Four patients had obvious infection confirmed by histology and/or microbiology prior to surgery. Endoprosthetic Reconstruction was performed as a 1 stage procedure in 13 and as a 2 stage in 4. Complications occurred in 5 patients. These included recurrence of infection in 1, persistent pain in 1, aseptic loosening in 1, periprosthetic fracture in 1 and a non ST myocardial infarction in 1. At the last follow-up, (mean 5years, range 1–18years) majority of patients achieved good range of motion and good mobility.
The bone defect consolidated fully, with no talar collapse, in all 8 cases. 5 of the 8 patients had no pain and full range of movement at last follow-up. 4 patients had no evidence of osteoarthritis at last follow-up, 2 patients had OA grade 1, one had OA grade 2, and one had OA grade 3 pre-operatively which then progressed to grade 4. One patient had two episodes of local recurrence which were treated by curettage and bone grafting, then by radioablation.
Conclusion: We conclude that total femur endoprosthetic replacement offers an excellent method of limb reconstruction following excision of the whole femur either for primary or metastatic tumours. However, patients survival after such operation is poor due to disease related factors.
We have investigated whether improvements in design have altered outcome for patients undergoing endoprosthetic replacement of the distal femur following tumour resection. Survival of the implant and ‘servicing’ procedures has been documented using a prospective database and review of the implant design records and case records. A total of 335 patients underwent a distal femoral replacement with 162 having a fixed hinge design and 173 a rotating hinge. The median age of the patients was 24 years (range 13–82yrs). With a minimum follow up of 5 years and a maximum of 30 years, 192 patients remain alive with a median follow up of 11 years. The risk of revision for any reason was 17% at 5 years, 34% at 10 years and 58% at 20 years. Aseptic loosening was the most common reason for revision in the fixed hinge knees whilst infection and stem fracture were the most common reason in the rotating hinges. The risk of revision for aseptic loosening in the fixed hinges was 32% at ten years compared with 4% for rotating hinge knees with a hydroxyapatite collar. The overall risk of revision for any reason was halved by use of the rotating hinge.
99 patients with new diagnosed soft tissue sarcomas involving the pelvic region were studied to determine the outcome and prognostic factors for survival and local recurrence. The mean age at diagnosis was 57 years. There were 55 males and 44 females. The mean tumor size was 12cm. The tumor was deep in 79 patients and superficial in 20. Surgical treatment was excision in 93 patients and hindquarter amputation in 6 patients. Histological grade was low grade in 23 and high grade in 75 patients. 7% of the patients had metastases at presentation. The 5 year overall survival was 57% and local recurrence occurred in 22% of the patients. The risk of inadequate surgical margins in patients with tumors within the pelvic brim was 50% compared to 18% for those with tumors located outside the pelvic brim. The significant predictors of local recurrence were inadequate margins and location of the tumor within the pelvic brim. Tumor size, grade and depth did not influence development of local recurrence. Significant predictors of survival included metastases at presentation, tumor grade and depth. The cumulative 5 year survival for patients with deep high grade tumors, deep low grade tumors, superficial high grade and superficial low grade tumors were 45%, 74%, 63% and 100% respectively (p=0.01). The 5-year overall survival was 66% in those patients without local recurrence compared to 37% in those who develop local recurrence (p=0.005). Multivariate analysis revealed that development of local recurrence was the most important determinant of overall and metastases free survival. We conclude that patients with pelvic soft tissue sarcoma who develop local recurrence have an extremely poor prognosis. Patients with high grade and inadequate surgical margins represent a particular group with very high risk of metastases and death even with radiotherapy and perhaps should be considered for other adjuvant treatment.
We report our experience of treating 17 patients with benign lesions of the proximal femur with non-vascularised, autologous fibular strut grafts, without osteosynthesis. The mean age of the patients at presentation was 16.5 years (5 to 33) and they were followed up for a mean of 2.9 years (0.4 to 19.5). Histological diagnoses included simple bone cyst, fibrous dysplasia, aneurysmal bone cysts and giant cell tumour. Local recurrence occurred in two patients (11.7%) and superficial wound infection, chronic hip pain and deep venous thrombosis occurred in three. Pathological fracture did not occur in any patient following the procedure. We conclude that non-vascularised fibular strut grafts are a safe and satisfactory method of treating benign lesions of the proximal femur.
130 consecutive patients with metastastic tumours of the extremity bones treated with resection with or without major endoprosthetic reconstruction were studied retrospectively to determine the indication for surgery, complications, clinical outcome and oncological results of treatment. The mean age at diagnosis was 61 (22 – 84). The tumours originated from a variety of organs. Lower extremity was involved in 104 and upper extremity in 26. Metastatic disease was solitary in 55 patients and multiple in 75 at the time of surgery. The median follow-up possible from the time of operation to review was 48 months (0-103). The indication for surgery was radical treatment of solitary metastases with curative intent in 33, pathological fracture in 46, impending fracture in 27, failure of prior fixation devices in 17, painful swelling or extremity in 37. Surgical treatment included excision of expendable bones without reconstruction in 20 patients and resection with endoprosthetic reconstruction in 110 patients. 7 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and the majority received adjuvant radiotherapy. At the time of review, 58 patients had died at a mean time of 23 months (0–90) from surgery (53 from progressive metastatic disease and 5 from other causes). 72 were alive at mean follow-up of 22 months (1–103) from surgery. 36 patients (28%) were alive at 2 years post-surgery and 8 (6%) at 5 years. One patient died intra-operatively. Post-operative complications occurred in 32 patients (25%). 18 patients required further surgical procedures for dislocation, infection haematoma, stiff joint, plastic surgical procedures. All the patients had control of pain and 90% achieved desired mobility. There was no difference in the survival of patients who presented with solitary and multiple metastases, renal and non-renal metastases, and upper or lower limb metastases.
The unusual phenomenon of histological grade change in locally recurrent soft tissue sarcomas is examined by retrospective review of a large sarcoma database. Increased histological grade was found to occur in 20% of recurrent tumours. Several possible factors predisposing to grade change were examined, and only the histologic diagnosis of myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma was found to be significant. Despite increased histologic grade, these tumours do not appear to have a worse prognosis in terms of developing systemic disease. Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) have a reported local recurrence rate of between five and thirty percent. Recurrent tumours are often similar histologically to the initial tumour, however they are occasionally of higher histological grade than the original lesion. Factors that predispose to this change in grade are not known. We sought to identify the frequency at which locally recurrent STS demonstrate a change in histological grade, and to investigate the possible factors leading to this change. We also investigate whether a change in grade is associated with a poorer prognosis. We identified one hundred and seventy-three patients who developed locally recurrent STS, one hundred and twenty-four of which met inclusion criteria and who will form the basis of this study. Ninety-two patients (74%) had no change in histological grade, twenty-four (19%) demonstrated an increase in histological grade and eight (7%) a decreased histological grade. Univariate analysis of time to local recurrence, histological diagnosis and use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy did not reveal significant differences between the groups who did and did not undergo change in grade. When the diagnosis of myxoid MFH was looked at separately, there was a higher proportion in the group that developed increased histological grade. Development of a change in grade was not associated with a poorer survival rate. Increase in histological grade occurs in approximately 20% of locally recurrent STS, but this phenomenon is not associated with a poorer prognosis than if the grade remains the same. A histological diagnosis of myxoid MFH predicts for an increase in histological grade.
Non-union of long bone fractures can be a challenging problem. There are several methods of treatment and they depend upon various patient factors, biology of non-union, and presence of infection. When faced with failure of treatment with biological reconstructive procedures patients have little choice. At our institute we have treated 10 such patients with radical excision and reconstruction using tumour endoprostheses as a last attempt to save the limb. Median age of the patients was 71 years (25–85). 2 patients were male and 8 were female. Median follow-up was 49 months (8–229). 5 had infected non-union. Resection and massive endoprosthetic reconstruction involved the distal femur in 4 patients, proximal femur 3, distal humerus 2 and total Humerus in 1 patient. Time from diagnosis of non-union to treatment was 0 to 96 months (median 11 months) and patients had had 0 to 6 (median 3) previous operations 5 infected non-unions were operated as 2 stage procedures and received long term antibiotics. 4 out of 5 infected non-unions were salvaged. There were 5 complications, namely periprosthetic fracture, infection, a dislocated shoulder, radial nerve palsy, suture of bosing. All the patients achieved immediate mobility and stability. Extendible prosthesis allowed partial correction of limb shortening.
Pathological fracture occurs in 5–10% of all primary malignant bone tumours. It is thought that they unfavourably influence survival, because the fracture haema-toma may contaminate adjacent tissues. Management is often more aggressive and one is less inclined to consider limb saving surgery. Aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of pathological fracture had an effect on rate of limb salvage surgery, role of adjuvant treatment and survival. A retrospective study was done on all patients with a pathological fracture through localised Ewing’s sarcoma, treated between 1979 and 2001. Of 289 patients with localised Ewing’s sarcoma, 27 had a pathological fracture. Eighteen presented with fracture, in 9 fracture occurred after biopsy. All were treated with chemotherapy according to protocol. Two fractures were already treated by osteosynthesis elsewhere, the rest healed with conservative treatment. After chemotherapy, 20 patients were treated surgically: 19 with limb saving surgery, 1 with amputation. Apart from chemotherapy, treatment was surgery alone in 15, surgery and radiotherapy in 5, and radiotherapy alone in 7 patients. Indications for radiotherapy were close margins, poor chemotherapy response, or pelvic tumours. Surgical margins were wide in 16 patients, marginal in 2, and intralesional in 1 patient. Local recurrence occurred in 2 patients, primarily treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy alone. Five year survival was 60%, metastasis free survival 59%, both comparable with rates reported in literature.
We investigated whether our policy of routine re-excision of the tumour bed after an unplanned excision of a soft-tissue sarcoma was justified. Between April 1982 and December 2005, 2201 patients were referred to our hospital with the diagnosis of soft-tissue sarcoma, of whom 402 (18%) had undergone an unplanned excision elsewhere. A total of 363 (16.5%) were included in this study. Each patient was routinely restaged and the original histology was reviewed. Re-excision was undertaken in 316 (87%). We analysed the patient, tumour and treatment factors in relation to local control, metastasis and overall survival. Residual tumour was found in 188 patients (59%). There was thus no residual disease in 128 patients of whom 10% (13) went on to develop a local recurrence. In 149 patients (47%), the re-excision specimen contained residual tumour, but it had been widely excised. Local recurrence occurred in 30 of these patients (20%). In 39 patients (12%), residual tumour was present in a marginal resection specimen. Of these, 46% (18) developed a local recurrence. A final positive margin in a high-grade tumour had a 60% risk of local recurrence even with post-operative radiotherapy. Metastases developed in 24% (86). The overall survival was 77% at five years. Survival was related to the grade of the tumour and the finding of residual tumour at the time of re-excision. We concluded that our policy of routine re-excision after unplanned excision of soft-tissue sarcoma was justified in view of the high risk of finding residual tumour.
Between 1966 and 2001, 1254 patients underwent excision of a bone tumour with endoprosthetic replacement. All patients who had radiotherapy were identified. Their clinical details were retrieved from their records. A total of 63 patients (5%) had received adjunctive radiotherapy, 29 pre-operatively and 34 post-operatively. The mean post-operative Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scores of irradiated patients were significantly lower (log-rank test, p = 0.009). The infection rate in the group who had not been irradiated was 9.8% (117 of 1191), compared with 20.7% (6 of 29) in those who had pre-operative radiotherapy and 35.3% (12 of 34) in those who radiotherapy post-operatively. The infection-free survival rate at ten years was 85.5% for patients without radiotherapy, 74.1% for those who had pre-operative radiotherapy and 44.8% for those who had post-operative radiotherapy (log-rank test, p <
0.001). The ten-year limb salvage rate was 89% for those who did not have radiotherapy and 76% for those who did (log-rank test, p = 0.02). Radiotherapy increased the risk of revision (log-rank test, p = 0.015). A total of ten amputations were necessary to control infection, of which nine were successful. Radiotherapy may be necessary for the treatment of a bone sarcoma but increases the risk of deep infection for which amputation may be the only solution.
We identified 42 patients who presented to our unit over a 27-year period with a secondary radiation-induced sarcoma of bone. We reviewed patient, tumour and treatment factors to identify those that affected outcome. The mean age of the patients at presentation was 45.6 years (10 to 84) and the mean latent interval between radiotherapy and diagnosis of the sarcoma was 17 years (4 to 50). The median dose of radiotherapy given was estimated at 50 Gy (mean 49; 20 to 66). There was no correlation between radiation dose and the time to development of a sarcoma. The pelvis was the most commonly affected site (14 patients (33%)). Breast cancer was the most common primary tumour (eight patients; 19%). Metastases were present at diagnosis of the sarcoma in nine patients (21.4%). Osteosarcoma was the most common diagnosis and occurred in 30 cases (71.4%). Treatment was by surgery and chemotherapy when indicated: 30 patients (71.4%) were treated with the intention to cure. The survival rate was 41% at five years for those treated with the intention to cure but in those treated palliatively the mean survival was only 8.8 months (2 to 22), and all had died by two years. The only factor found to be significant for survival was the ability to completely resect the tumour. Limb sarcomas had a better prognosis (66% survival at five years) than central ones (12% survival at five years) (p = 0.009). Radiation-induced sarcoma is a rare complication of radiotherapy. Both surgical and oncological treatment is likely to be compromised by the treatment received previously by the patient.
We have investigated the significance of the method of treatment on the oncological and functional outcomes and on the complications in 184 patients with soft-tissue sarcomas of the adductor compartment managed at three international centres. The overall survival at five years was 65% and was related to the grade at diagnosis and the size of the tumour. There was no difference in overall survival between the three centres. There was, however, a significant difference in local control with a rate of 28% in Centre 1 compared with 10% in Centre 2 and 5% in Centre 3. The overall mean functional score using the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score in 70 patients was 77% but was significantly worse in patients with wound complications or high-grade tumours. The scores were not affected by the timing of radiotherapy or the use of muscle flaps. This large series of soft-tissue sarcomas of the adductor compartment has shown that factors influencing survival do not vary across the international boundaries studied, but that methods of treatment affect complications, local recurrence and function.
Peri- and sub-prosthetic fractures, or pathological fractures below an existing well-fixed femoral component, with or without an ipsilateral knee replacement, present a difficult surgical challenge. We describe a simple solution, in which a custom-made prosthesis with a cylindrical design is cemented proximally to the stem of an existing, well-fixed femoral component. This effectively treats the fracture without sacrificing the good hip. We describe five patients with a mean age of 73 years (60 to 81) and a mean follow-up of 47 months (6 to 108). The mean overlap of the prosthesis over the femoral component was 7.5 cm (5.5 to 10). There have been no mechanical failures, no new infections and no re-operations. We suggest that in highly selected cases, in which conventional fixation is not feasible, this technique offers a durable option and avoids the morbidity of a total femoral replacement.
The median survival for patients without metastases at the time of LR was 3 years with a 31% survival at 10 years. The most important prognostic factor in this group was grade with low grade tumours having a much better outlook (70% survival at 10 years) than intermediate or high grade tumours (24% at 10 years). Complete control of the first local recurrence could not be shown to be a prognostic factor.