Limb salvage in musculoskeletal oncology.

Abstract

Since the early 1970s, substantial progress in dealing with musculoskeletal tumours has been made, with improvements in surgical skills, radiology, chemotherapy, pathology, and radiotherapy. Nowadays, 70-85% of all malignant tumours are treated by limb salvage, without compromising the oncological result. After many years, the functional result that may be achieved with a limb-saving procedure is becoming clear. Limb salvage has cosmetic advantages, but whether the quality of life of these patients is superior to that of those who undergo amputation is unclear. The non-oncological complication rate is much higher after limb salvage than after amputation, and consequently additional surgery is necessary. In the future, the co-operating disciplines should strive for better survival of these patients, for which the development of new chemotherapeutic drugs is especially needed.