Recent Developments in the Surgical Treatment of Bone Tumors and Their Impact on Quality of Life

Abstract

The management of bone tumors has rapidly evolved over the last decades. Before the 1970s, amputation and arthrodesis were almost exclusively performed at the surgical theaters of tertiary tumor centers. Currently, with the evolutions in diagnostic imaging, surgical techniques, metallurgy, and adjuvant therapies, more than 90% of bone sarcomas patients are treated with limb salvage surgery. It is well documented in the related literature that limb salvage surgery does not compromise the survival of the patients. The main indication for limb salvage is the ability to obtain wide-margin (microscopically negative) surgical resection. A relative contraindication is local recurrence in a patient that previously had limb salvage surgery, except if the recurrence can be excised with wide margins. Various reconstruction options have been described following bone tumors resection with limb salvage, including megaprosthetic and biological reconstructions with allografts and vascularized bone autografts. However, what is the impact of bone tumors surgical resections and their reconstructions on the quality of life of tumor patients? This special issue tries to address the recent developments in the surgical treatment of bone tumors and their impact on quality of life. Expert authors in tumor surgery present their experience and knowledge on this subject.