Aims. The aim of the present study was to analyze the oncological and neurological outcome of patients undergoing interdisciplinary treatment for primary malignant bone and soft-tissue tumours of the spine within the last seven decades, and changes over time. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed our single-centre experience of prospectively collected data by querying our tumour registry (Medical University of Vienna). Therapeutic, pathological, and demographic variables were examined. Descriptive data are reported for the entire cohort. Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis were applied to evaluate survival rates and the influence of potential risk factors. Results. A total of 119 consecutive patients (mean age 38 years (SD 37; 1 to 83), mean follow-up 66 months (SD 26; 0 to 505) were investigated. Histological entities included Ewing’s sarcoma (EWS; 33), chondrosarcoma (CSA; 20), osteosarcoma (OSA; 22), and soft-tissue sarcoma (STS; 44). Surgery was performed in 88 patients (74%). Neurological parameters improved in 18 patients (20%) after surgery. Overall, 32 patients (36%) suffered from surgical complications requiring revision. The median survival was 42 months (IQR 10 to 204). The one-, five-, and ten-year survival rates were 73%, 47%, and 39%, respectively. Corresponding five-year survival rates for EWS, CSA, OSA, and STS were 63%, 61%, 40%, and 32%, respectively. The decade of diagnosis, histological entity, surgical intervention, resection margin, and the presence of metastases had significant influence on survival. (Neo-)adjuvant therapies alone had no significant influence on overall survival. Conclusion. Our study clearly demonstrates the positive impact of improved surgical techniques, as well as refined imaging methods and evolved adjuvant therapy options, on survival rate in all tumour entities. However, despite a multimodal treatment plan, the long-term mortality of these tumours remains high. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2025;6(2):109–118

Aims. Tenosynovial giant cell tumour (TGCT) is a rare benign tumour of the musculoskeletal system. Surgical management is fraught with challenges due to high recurrence rates. The aim of this study was to describe surgical treatment and evaluate surgical outcomes of TGCT at an Australian tertiary referral centre for musculoskeletal tumours and to identify factors affecting recurrence rates. Methods. A prospective database of all patients with TGCT surgically managed by two orthopaedic oncology surgeons was reviewed. All cases irrespective of previous treatment were included and patients without follow-up were excluded. Pertinent tumour characteristics and surgical outcomes were collected for analysis. Results. There were 111 total cases included in the study; 71 (64%) were female, the mean age was 36 years (SD 13.6), and the knee (n = 64; 57.7%) was the most commonly affected joint. In all, 60 patients (54.1%) had diffuse-type (D-TGCT) disease, and 94 patients (84.7%) presented therapy-naïve as "primary cases" (PC). The overall recurrence rate was 46.8% for TGCT. There was a statistically significant difference in recurrence rates between D-TGCT and localized disease (75.0% vs 13.7%, relative risk (RR) 3.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.17 to 5.34; p < 0.001), and for those who were referred in the ”revision cases” (RC) group compared to the PC group (82.4% vs 48.9%, RR 1.68, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.28; p = 0.011). Age, sex, tumour volume, and mean duration of symptoms were not associated with recurrence (p > 0.05). Conclusion. Recurrence rates remain high even at a tertiary referral hospital. Highest rates are seen in D-TGCT and “revision cases”. Due to the risks of recurrence, the complexity of surgery, and the need for adjuvant therapy, this paper further supports the management of TGCT in a tertiary referral multi-disciplinary orthopaedic oncology service. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(11):846–852

Aims. Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are locally aggressive lesions typically found in the long bones of children and adolescents. A variety of management strategies have been reported to be effective in the treatment of these lesions. The purpose of this review was to assess the effectiveness of current strategies for the management of primary ABCs of the long bones. Methods. A systematic review of the published literature was performed to identify all articles relating to the management of primary ABCs. Studies required a minimum 12-month follow-up and case series reporting on under ten participants were not included. Results. A total of 28 articles meeting the eligibility criteria were included in this review, and all but one were retrospective in design. Due to heterogeneity in study design, treatment, and outcome reporting, data synthesis and group comparison was not possible. The most common treatment option reported on was surgical curettage with or without a form of adjuvant therapy, followed by injection-based therapies. Of the 594 patients treated with curettage across 17 studies, 86 (14.4%) failed to heal or experienced a recurrence. Similar outcomes were reported for 57 (14.70%) of the 387 patients treated with injection therapy across 12 studies. Only one study directly compared curettage with injection therapy (polidocanol), randomizing 94 patients into both treatment groups. This study was at risk of bias and provided low-quality evidence of a lack of difference between the two interventions, reporting success rates of 93.3% and 84.8% for injection and surgical treatment groups, respectively. Conclusion. While both surgery and sclerotherapy are widely implemented for treatment of ABCs, there is currently no good quality evidence to support the use of one option over the other. There is a need for prospective multicentre randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on interventions for the treatment of ABCs. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(2):125–133

Aims. There is a lack of evidence about the risk factors for local recurrence of a giant cell tumour (GCT) of the sacrum treated with nerve-sparing surgery, probably because of the rarity of the disease. This study aimed to answer two questions: first, what is the rate of local recurrence of sacral GCT treated with nerve-sparing surgery and second, what are the risk factors for its local recurrence?. Methods. A total of 114 patients with a sacral GCT who underwent nerve-sparing surgery at our hospital between July 2005 and August 2017 were reviewed. The rate of local recurrence was determined, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis carried out to evaluate the mean recurrence-free survival. Possible risks factors including demographics, tumour characteristics, adjuvant therapy, operation, and laboratory indices were analyzed using univariate analysis. Variables with p < 0.100 in the univariate analysis were further considered in a multivariate Cox regression analysis to identify the risk factors. Results. The rate of local recurrence of sacral GCT treated with nerve-sparing surgery was 28.95% (33/114). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that large tumour size (> 8.80 cm) (hazard ratio (HR) 3.16; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27 to 7.87; p = 0.014), high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (> 2.09) (HR 3.13; 95% CI 1.28 to 7.62; p = 0.012), involvement of a sacroiliac joint (HR 3.09; 95% CI 1.06 to 9.04; p = 0.039), and massive intraoperative blood loss (> 1,550 ml) (HR 2.47; 95% CI 1.14 to 5.36; p = 0.022) were independent risk factors for local recurrence. Conclusion. Patients with a sacral GCT who undergo nerve-sparing surgery have a local recurrence rate of 29%. Large tumour size, high NLR, involvement of a sacroiliac joint, and massive intraoperative blood loss are independent risk factors. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(10):1392–1398

We retrospectively evaluated 18 patients with a mean age of 37.3 years (14 to 72) who had undergone pelvic reconstruction stabilised with a non-vascularised fibular graft after resection of a primary bone tumour. The mean follow-up was 10.14 years (2.4 to 15.7). The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score was 76.5% (50% to 100%). Primary union was achieved in the majority of reconstructions within a mean of 22.9 weeks (7 to 60.6). The three patients with delayed or nonunion all received additional therapy (chemotherapy/radiation) (p = 0.0162). The complication rate was comparable to that of other techniques described in the literature. Non-vascularised fibular transfer to the pelvis is a simpler, cheaper and quicker procedure than other currently described techniques. It is a biological reconstruction with good results and a relatively low donor site complication rate. However, adjuvant therapy can negatively affect the outcome of such grafts

Introduction. To look at the effect of width and tissue at surgical margins, together with the use of adjuvant therapy on locally recurrent disease and disease free survival. Methods. The distance (mm) and tissue has been regularly reported for 5 years, prior to this it was reported as wide, marginal or intra-lesional. It is known from previous studies that 90% of locally recurrent disease for osteosarcoma and Ewing's occurs within 2 years from surgery. Therefore all primary bone sarcomas of the pelvis and appendicular skeleton that underwent surgery between 1/1/2005 and 1/1/2008 were entered, giving at least 2 years follow up. The pathology records were reviewed and the margins and percentage tumour necrosis were recorded. Those patients who had suffered local or distal disease relapse or died were highlighted. Analysis was undertaken by Kaplan Meier survival curves with univariate and multivariate analysis. Results. 370 patients were indentified who had undergone surgery for primary bone tumours, 30 patients had locally recurrent disease (8%). These local recurrences were mainly in patients with chondrosarcoma (13 pts), whilst less frequent in osteosarcoma (7 pts) and Ewing's (7 pts). All patients with locally recurrent tumour either had poor necrosis following chemotherapy or inadequate margins. When analysed the risk of LR was comparable between those patients with good post chemotherapy (>90%) necrosis and wide margins (>1cm) and those with good necrosis and narrow margins (2-10mm). Whilst those with poor margins of ⋋2mm, or those with ⋋90% post chemotherapy necrosis had significantly higher rates of local recurrence. A similar effect was seen with overall survival. Conclusion. Margins >2mm appear to be safe providing there has been effective adjuvant therapy, predicting the response to chemotherapy prior to surgery may offer significant advantages to the patient, allowing different resection techniques in good responders

Introduction. Recently a great deal of interest has emerged in new techniques for resection of bone tumours, such as the use of computer guided surgery, joint sparing prostheses and epiphysiolysis. However, all the techniques may require narrower margins at resection than the traditional Enneking wide margins. The aim of the study was to look at the effect of width and tissue at surgical margins, together with the use of adjuvant therapy on locally recurrent disease and disease free survival. Methods. The quality in terms of precise distance (mm) and tissue has been regularly reported by our pathologists for 5 years, prior to this it was reported as wide, marginal or intralesional. It is known from previous studies that 90% of locally recurrent disease for osteosarcoma and Ewings occurs within 2 years from surgery. Therefore all primary bone sarcomas of the pelvis and appendicular skeleton that underwent surgery between 1/1/2005 and 1/1/2008 were entered into the study group, giving at least 2 years follow up. The pathology records were reviewed and the quality of the margins and percentage tumour necrosis were recorded. Those patients who had suffered local or distal disease relapse or died were highlighted. Analysis was undertaken by Kaplan Meier survival curves with univariate and multivariate analysis. Results. 370 patients were identified who had undergone surgery for primary bone tumours, 30 patients had suffered locally recurrent disease (8%). These local recurrences were mainly in patients with chondrosarcoma (13 pts), whilst less frequent in osteosarcoma (7 pts) and Ewings (7 pts). All patients with locally recurrent tumour either had poor necrosis following chemotherapy or inadequate margins. When analysed, the risk of LR was comparable between those patients with good post chemotherapy (>90%) necrosis and wide margins (>1cm) and those with good necrosis and narrow margins (2-10mm). Whilst those with poor margins of <2mm, or those with <90% post chemotherapy necrosis had significantly higher rates of local recurrence. A similar effect was seen with overall survival. Conclusion : Margins >2mm appear to be safe providing there has been effective adjuvant therapy, predicting the response to chemotherapy prior to surgery may offer significant advantages to the patient, allowing different resection techniques in good responders

Giant cell tumours (GCT) of the synovium and tendon sheath can be classified into two forms: localised (giant cell tumour of the tendon sheath, or nodular tenosynovitis) and diffuse (diffuse-type giant cell tumour or pigmented villonodular synovitis). The former principally affects the small joints. It presents as a solitary slow-growing tumour with a characteristic appearance on MRI and is treated by surgical excision. There is a significant risk of multiple recurrences with aggressive diffuse disease. A multidisciplinary approach with dedicated MRI, histological assessment and planned surgery with either adjuvant radiotherapy or systemic targeted therapy is required to improve outcomes in recurrent and refractory diffuse-type GCT. Although arthroscopic synovectomy through several portals has been advocated as an alternative to arthrotomy, there is a significant risk of inadequate excision and recurrence, particularly in the posterior compartment of the knee. For local disease partial arthroscopic synovectomy may be sufficient, at the risk of recurrence. For both local and diffuse intra-articular disease open surgery is advised for recurrent disease. Marginal excision with focal disease will suffice, not dissimilar to the treatment of GCT of tendon sheath. For recurrent and extra-articular soft-tissue disease adjuvant therapy, including intra-articular radioactive colloid or moderate-dose external beam radiotherapy, should be considered

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The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of reinfection in patients after two-stage revision of an infected megaprosthesis (MPR) implanted after resection of a bone tumour.

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The Birmingham Orthopaedic Oncology Meeting (BOOM), held in January 2024, convened 309 delegates from 53 countries to discuss and refine 21 consensus statements on the optimal management of chondrosarcoma.

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We first sought to compare survival for patients treated surgically for solitary and multiple metastases in the appendicular skeleton, and second, to explore the role of complete and incomplete resection (R0 and R1/R2) in patients with a solitary bony metastasis in the appendicular skeleton.

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Due to its indolent clinical behaviour, the treatment paradigm of atypical cartilaginous tumours (ACTs) in the long bones is slowly shifting from intralesional resection (curettage) and local adjuvants, towards active surveillance through wait-and-scan follow-up. In this retrospective cohort study performed in a tertiary referral centre, we studied the natural behaviour of ACT lesions by active surveillance with MRI. Clinical symptoms were not considered in the surveillance programme.

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Treatment of high-grade limb bone sarcoma that invades a joint requires en bloc extra-articular excision. MRI can demonstrate joint invasion but is frequently inconclusive, and its predictive value is unknown. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of direct and indirect radiological signs of intra-articular tumour extension and the performance characteristics of MRI findings of intra-articular tumour extension.

Introduction. The proximity of the superior tibiofibular articulation to neurovascular structures makes the management of extraosseous tumours of the proximal fibula challenging in bone tumour surgery. The aim of study is to establish whether the recurrence rates are higher in this anatomical area compared to data that already exists in publication for bone tumours throughout the appendicular skeleton. Method. A retrospective study of all patients treated for Ewing's tumours and osteosarcoma at a regional bone tumour unit between January 1995 and December 2009 was conducted. Results. Between January 1995 and December 2009, 17 patients with proximal fibular Ewing's tumours and osteosarcoma were managed surgically at a regional bone tumour unit. The overall recurrence rate of proximal fibular Ewings and osteosarcoma was found to be 29.4% and the overall 5 year survival was 70.5%. When separating the data according to tumour type, the results in this study demonstrated a recurrence rate of 50% for osteosarcoma and 11.1% for Ewing's Tumours. Five year survival was 50% for osteosarcoma and 88.9% for Ewing's tumours. Conclusion. This series demonstrated that aggressive bone tumours of the proximal fibula are a difficult entity to manage and recurrence rates and patient survival for osteosarcoma are poor when compared to published rates for the rest of the appendicular skeleton. While local surgical treatment and adjuvant therapy remain the standard treatment we recommend more radical tumour resection and post-operative radiotherapy for osteosarcoma of the proximal fibula

Aim. Assess the oncological and clinical outcomes associated with intralesional curettage, phenol and bone grafting of the lesions. Method. A retrospective study was performed using data from the Leiden University Medical Center. Ninety patients with low grade central chondrosarcoma of long bones and small tubular bones were treated using phenol and ethanol as adjuvant therapy after intralesional curettage. Standard clinical follow-up contained regular visits to the orthopaedic department, physical examination and radiological follow-up with plain X-rays and dynamic Gadolineum-enhanced MRI scans. Results. Between 1994 and 2005 thirty-three males and fifty-seven females with a mean age of 47 years (range 5.6-73.1) were treated in our clinic. Mean follow-up 6.5 years (range 0.2-14.1). Location of chondrosarcoma. Femur (43%), humerus (32%), tibia (10%), fibula (6%), metacarpalia (4%), radius (2%), ulna (1%), phalanx (1%). Average tumour volume of all lesions, including metacarpals and phalanges, was 22 cm3 (range 1-104). With a mean follow up of 6.5 years, 86% of the patients are free of tumour on plain X-ray and dynamic Gd-MRI. Two femoral fractures occurred within 6 weeks after surgery, treated by ORIF. 14% of the patients had re-intervention(s) due to suspected recurrence or residual tumour on dynamic Gd-MRI (7 recurettage, 6 RFA). Histology: Grade I Chondrosarcoma (7), no recurrence (2), non conclusive (4). Overall, there were no cases of metastases. Conclusion. This study presents a large number of patients included, all with same diagnosis and uniform treatment for lowgrade central chondrosarcoma. Periodically clinical and radiological follow-up by dynamic Gd-MRI only showed 8% histological proven recurrences, no upgrading of tumour or occurrence of metastases were seen. Compared to other studies, the complication rates and impairment for the patients are low. Intralesional treatment of low-grade central chondrosarcoma, followed by phenol and ethanol is an effective and safe method with low morbidity for these patients

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Urgent referral to a specialist centre for patients with a soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) has been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK since 2006. However, the impact of this recommendation on the prognosis for these patients remains unclear. We aimed to determine the impact of the NICE guidelines on the disease-specific survival (DSS) of patients with an STS.

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Rotating-hinge knee prostheses are commonly used to reconstruct the distal femur after resection of a tumour, despite the projected long-term burden of reoperation due to complications. Few studies have examined the factors that influence their failure and none, to our knowledge, have used competing risk models to do so. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors for failure of a rotating-hinge knee distal femoral arthroplasty using the Fine-Gray competing risk model.

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The modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) uses preoperative CRP and albumin to calculate a score from 0 to 2 (2 being associated with poor outcomes). mGPS is validated in multiple carcinomas. To date, its use in soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) is limited, with only small cohorts reporting that increased mGPS scores correlates with decreased survival in STS patients.

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There is an increased risk of dislocation of the hip after the resection of a periacetabular tumour and endoprosthetic reconstruction of the defect in the hemipelvis. The aim of this study was to determine the rate and timing of dislocation and to identify its risk factors.

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Orthopaedic and reconstructive surgeons are faced with large defects after the resection of malignant tumours of the sacrum. Spinopelvic reconstruction is advocated for resections above the level of the S1 neural foramina or involving the sacroiliac joint. Fixation may be augmented with either free vascularized fibular flaps (FVFs) or allograft fibular struts (AFSs) in a cathedral style. However, there are no studies comparing these reconstructive techniques.