Why Rotationplasty? A Qualitative Study of Decision-Making by Families of Patients With Primary Bone Sarcoma

Rotationplasty is an established technique that is indicated as part of the surgical reconstruction for certain patients with primary bone tumors around the knee who undergo tumor resection. There is considerable variation in the application of rotationplasty by surgeons as well as acceptance of the procedure by patients who may be candidates for this procedure. We qualitatively studied the decision-making process of families of patients who had undergone rotationplasty by interviewing 4 patients and their families using semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis identified the following themes that were important in the decision-making process: (1) the desire for good information sources, (2) finding value in meeting with other patients who had been faced with a similar decision, (3) prioritizing function over cosmesis, (4) a desire to limit the need for revision surgeries, and (5) accepting that a return to normalcy is not an option with a surgery. Physicians and patients faced with a similar decision can benefit from a better understanding of the process, and by the normalization of anxieties and concerns that they may experience.

Clinical outcomes of frozen autograft reconstruction for the treatment of primary bone sarcoma in adolescents and young adults

Age affects the clinical outcomes of cancer treatment, including those for bone sarcoma. Successful reconstruction using frozen autograft after excision of bone sarcoma has been reported; however, little is known about the clinical outcomes of frozen autograft reconstruction according to age. The purpose was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of the frozen autograft reconstruction focusing on skeletally mature adolescents and young adults (AYAs) that was 15 to 39 years of age. A total of 37 AYA patients with primary bone sarcoma on the appendicular skeleton were enrolled in this study. The mean follow-up period was 89 months. The graft survival (GS), overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), complications and the function were retrospectively evaluated using medical records. The 10-year GS, OS, and RFS rates were 76%, 84%, and 79%, respectively. Bone union was achieved with a rate of 94% within 1 year after surgery, and nonunion (n = 1) and fracture (n = 2) were infrequently observed. Graft removal was performed in 7 cases, and the most common reason for the removal was infection (n = 5). The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was excellent in 23 cases of the available 29 cases. Frozen autograft reconstruction for AYAs showed excellent clinical outcomes, although the long-term follow-up is required.

The diagnosis of pulmonary metastases on chest computed tomography in primary bone sarcoma and musculoskeletal soft tissue sarcoma

The lungs are the commonest site of metastasis for primary high-grade bone and soft tissue sarcoma, but current guidelines on the management of pulmonary nodules do not specifically cater for this group of patients. The current article reviews the literature from the past 20 years that has reported the CT features of pulmonary metastases in the setting of known primary bone and soft tissue sarcoma, with emphasis on osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and trunk and extremity soft tissue sarcoma, the aim being to aid radiologists who report chest CT of musculoskeletal sarcoma patients in deciding which lesions should be considered metastatic, which lesions are indeterminate and require follow-up, and which lesions are of no concern.

Future Directions in the Treatment of Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone sarcoma and is often diagnosed in the 2nd–3rd decades of life. Response to the aggressive and highly toxic neoadjuvant methotrexate-doxorubicin-cisplatin (MAP) chemotherapy schedule is strongly predictive of outcome. Outcomes for patients with osteosarcoma have not significantly changed for over thirty years. There is a need for more effective treatment for patients with high risk features but also reduced treatment-related toxicity for all patients. Predictive biomarkers are needed to help inform clinicians to de-escalate or add therapy, including immune therapies, and to contribute to future clinical trial designs. Here, we review a variety of approaches to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with osteosarcoma with a focus on incorporating toxicity reduction, immune therapy and molecular analysis to provide the most effective and least toxic osteosarcoma therapy.

Multidisciplinary Management of a Rare Case of a Huge LowGrade Chondrosarcoma of the Lumbar Spine: A Case Report

Introduction: Chondrosarcoma is the second most common primary bone sarcoma and arising in the spine. It is estimated to be 2% to 12% in incidence from various series. The use of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy for chondrosarcomas is controversial. Low- and intermediate-grade chondrosarcomas respond poorly to chemotherapy. Although not much data on the efficacy of chemotherapy in the treatment of high-grade chondrosarcomas, it should be considered in any young patient with a high-grade tumor. Radiation is recommended when anything other than wide excision is performed for chondrosarcoma of any grade.Case Presentation: A 24-year old female presented to the clinic with a chief complaint of persistent low back pain and a lump in her back. Initially, the lump was the size of a tennis ball three years ago. At the time of the examination, the lump was at the size of a volleyball about 65 x 63 x 58 centimeters. Systemic and general examinations were unremarkable. There were no comorbid conditions. From the results of the Clinicopathological Conference conducted by neurologists, pathologists, radiologists, orthopedic spine and oncology surgeons, it is advisable to conduct investigations such as x-rays, CT scans, MRI, biopsy, and surgery is recommended for evaluation of expansion of chondrosarcoma, evolving the spinal cord, and for resection of tumors.Conclusion: Early diagnosis and complete resection of tumor and treatment of relevant symptoms represent a viable treatment for this rare disorder to achieve increased life expectancy, low recurrence of tumor, and improvement of quality of life.

What sports activity levels are achieved in long-term survivors with modular endoprosthetic humerus reconstruction following primary bone sarcoma resection?

Summary Background The aim of the study was to assess (1) sports activity, (2) sports involving the upper extremities, (3) functional outcome and (4) sports-related complications of long-term survivors of primary malignant bone tumors of the proximal humerus. Methods A total of 18 patients with an endoprosthetic reconstruction for primary malignant bone sarcoma of the proximal humerus (8 male, 10 female, mean age 19.9 ± 8.4 years, range 7.8–37.4 years) with an average follow-up of 18.1 ± 7.4 years (range 6.7–29.8 years) were included. The type of sport, frequency, duration of each sport session and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score were assessed before surgery, at 1 year, 3 years and at the latest follow-up. Functional outcome was assessed by the Toronto extremity salvage score (TESS). Results The mean UCLA activity score decreased from 8.0 (±1.3, range 5–9) preoperative to 4.2 (±1.7, range 3–8) at 1‑year follow-up (p < 0.05). After 3 years it increased to 5.1 (±1.75, range 3–8) and further to 7 (±1.8, range 4–9) at the last follow-up. The mean postoperative TESS was 80.8 (±6.4, range 75.7–91.4) at the latest follow-up. Patients who were initially more active without reconstruction including a synthetic mesh were more likely to develop soft tissue complications accompanied by proximal endoprothesis migration. Conclusion Patients with a modular endoprosthetic reconstruction of the humerus following primary bone sarcoma resume participation in sports. Regarding the low incidence of periprosthetic infections, utilization of a synthetic mesh for reconstruction to prevent soft tissue complications in active patients should be considered.

Time to Treatment Initiation and Survival in Adult Localized High-Grade Bone Sarcoma

Objective. Few studies have evaluated the prognostic implication of the length of time from diagnosis to treatment initiation in bone sarcoma. The purpose of this study is to determine if time to treatment initiation (TTI) influences overall survival in adults diagnosed with primary bone sarcoma. Methods. A retrospective analysis of the National Cancer Database identified 2,122 patients who met inclusion criteria with localized, high-grade bone sarcoma diagnosed between 2004 and 2012. TTI was defined as length of time in days from diagnosis to initiation of treatment. Patient, disease-specific, and healthcare-related factors were also assessed for their association with overall survival. Kruskal-Wallis analysis was utilized for univariate analysis, and Cox regression modeling identified covariates associated with overall survival. Results. Any 10-day increase in TTI was not associated with decreased overall survival (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.00; P=0.72). No differences in survival were detected at 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years, when comparing patients with TTI = 14, 30, 60, 90, and 150 days. Decreased survival was significantly associated P<0.05 with patient ages of 51–70 years (HR = 1.66; P=0.004) and > 71 years (HR = 2.89; P<0.001), Charlson/Deyo score ≥2 (HR = 2.02; P<0.001), pelvic tumor site (HR = 1.58; P<0.001), tumor size >8 cm (HR = 1.52; P<0.001), radiation (HR = 1.81; P<0.001) as index treatment, and residing a distance of 51–100 miles from the treatment center (HR = 1.30; P=0.012). Increased survival was significantly associated P<0.05 with chordoma (HR = 0.27; P=0.010), chondrosarcoma (HR = 0.75; P=0.002), treatment at an academic center (HR = 0.64; P=0.039), and a private (HR = 0.67; P=0.006) or Medicare (HR = 0.71; P=0.043) insurer. A transition in care was not associated with a survival disadvantage (HR = 0.90; P=0.14). Conclusions. Longer TTI was not associated with decreased overall survival in localized, high-grade primary bone sarcoma in adults. This is important in counseling patients, who may delay treatment to receive a second opinion or seek referral to a higher volume sarcoma center.

Implant Associated Local Recurrence in Primary Bone Sarcoma

Hydroxyapatite (HA) covered implants are widely used in orthopedic reconstructive surgery. Their biological benefits were highlighted by several studies in the past decades in which the most important ones are the osteoconductive and osteoinductive capacity, which enhances osteoblast adherence, proliferation and bone extracellular matrix formation. In bone sarcomas the micro-environmental changes are crucial for tumor growth, new bone formation especially in osteoblastic osteosarcomas (OS). Nowadays limb sparing surgery and maintaining the quality of patient�s life are the main two goals in bone sarcoma treatment. The survival rate of patients with OS has been significantly improved in the past 3-4 decades due to the advanced chemotherapy protocols. The prognosis still depends on the early diagnosis and the histological type of the sarcoma. Tumor removal and reconstruction is a crucial moment for prognosis, studies showed that high grade sarcomas have a greater potential for local recurrence and early distant metastases. Metastasis can occur in early stages, even if there are not detectable at the time of surgery. Furthermore, the micro-environmental changes can facilitate sarcoma cell proliferation even if the tumor resection was performed in macroscopically normal bone tissue. We present a case of osteosarcoma in which local recurrence has occurred despite of chemotherapy and wide resection of the tumor. We can ask the following question can an implant increases the risk of local recurrence in sarcoma surgerys The aim of the study was to understand the underlying molecular pathway for sarcoma cell proliferation in HA covered implants.