Definition: Treatment of malignant bone tumors most often consists of both chemotherapy and/or radiation, as well as surgery. Surgical techniques are rapidly improving, especially with the advancement of so-called limb salvage surgery.
As recently as 10 to 20 years ago, the surgical answer to aggressive tumors of the extremity was amputation. While this is necessary in certain cases today, many patients are treated with limb salvage, or limb sparing surgery, with similar results. These operations are designed to save the limb while removing the tumor. Special prostheses, bone grafts, and bone transplantation, are all techniques used in these surgeries.
Also Known As: Limb Sparing Surgery
