Mammary-type myofibroblastoma of popliteal fossa.

Mammary-type myofibroblastoma is a very rare, benign, spindle cell lesion, arising mainly in the inguinal region. This clinical entity strictly duplicates the features of its breast counterpart. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this particular lesion occurring in the popliteal fossa. We discuss the clinical, radiological and histopathological features of this case, emphasizing the role of incisional biopsy in such an unusual neoplasia.

Prosthetic joint replacement for long bone metastases: analysis of 154 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Metastatic bone disease is the most common cause of malignancies to the skeleton in adults. The treatment of bone metastases is frequently palliative aiming to achieve a satisfactory control of pain and to prevent or to treat pathological fractures. In selected cases the resection of a single bone metastasis may improve the survival of the patients. Our experience with bone metastases located in the appendicular skeleton, between 1992 and 2004, is retrospectively reviewed here. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report a series of 154 patients (95 females and 59 males) treated with prosthesis for metastatic bone disease. Lower limb localization was more frequent with 117 cases, while upper limb was affected in 37 cases. Metastatic breast and renal carcinoma predominated and accounted for 66% of the lesions. Indications to surgery were reported, oncologic outcome was evaluated and functional results were obtained by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scoring system. RESULTS: Follow up ranged from 6 months to 12 years (median 26 months). One-year survival was 69.5%, 2-years survival was 44.8%, 5-years survival was 19.5%; and 5 (3.2%) died in the early post surgical period. Functional results were good or higher in 73.8% of patients for the proximal femur, in 50% of patients for the knee and 30.6% of patients for the proximal humerus. CONCLUSION: In this series, satisfactory results were achieved with few complications. We emphasized the importance of giving the patient a definitive treatment and preventing pathological fractures as they determine disability and a spreading of the tumor in the soft tissues, leading to an increased probability of local recurrence. Prosthetic replacement contributes to an improved quality of life and limb functionality and, in selected cases; this radical surgical approach is indicated as it may improve patient's life expectancy.

Modular prostheses in the treatment of proximal humerus metastases: review of 40 cases.

BACKGROUND: The humerus is the second most common site of metastatic bone disease involving long bones. Tumors which have a predilection for dissemination to bone are those of breast, prostate, thyroid, lung and kidney. The rationale for surgical treatment of these lesions is to prevent or treat pathological fractures in order to relieve pain and improve function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients who had resection of the proximal humerus for metastatic bone disease and reconstruction with a modular prosthesis were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Mean functional outcome was 73.1% (Enneking score) and better results were achieved when a reverse prosthesis was implanted. Overall survival was 70% at 1 year, 42.5% at 2 years and 20% at 5 years. Local recurrence occurred in 4 patients, each of whom had initially been treated for a pathological fracture. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to follow rational guidelines, like those of Capanna and Mirels, in order to prevent pathological fractures and to give the patient a definitive treatment, as the advances in the management of cancer prolong the survival of these patients. In this series, satisfactory results were obtained, giving the patients an acceptable quality of life.

Modular prostheses in metastatic bone disease of the proximal femur.

In the period from 1988 to 1992, 23 patients (16 females and 7 males, average age at operation 57.3 years) with metastatic disease of the proximal femur were treated by resection of the lesion and insertion of a modular prosthesis (PGR). At latest review (at an average 3.2 years following the operation, range 1 to 5 years) twelve patients were still alive. Local recurrence of the neoplasia occurred at, respectively 6, 8, and 12 months after prosthesis insertion in the three patients in whom surgery was performed because of a pathological fracture. Pain relief was obtained in all cases after surgery and no patient developed any complication during or after surgery. Functional results (Enneking Function Evaluation system) were excellent in 2 patients, good in 13 and fair in 8. PGR modular prostheses appear to be a safe form of palliative treatment in a patient with proximal femoral metastases.