Surgical treatment for myeloma of the bone

In a retrospective study, 22 patients treated surgically for solitary or multiple myeloma between 1980 and 1993 were analysed. The main complaint was pain. A fracture was observed in 7 cases and motor-sensory impaired neurology due to spinal compression in 3. Apart from incisional biopsies, tumour resections, reductions (with and without stabilization by osteosynthesis) and endoprotheses were performed either at the extremities or on the spine. In addition, radiation and chemotherapy were included in the therapeutical concept. Early mobilization was achieved in all cases, and the 5-year survival rate (Kaplan-Meier method) was 48%. The results presented in this study demonstrate that a variety of surgical interventions can be of importance in the treatment of myeloma of the bone, ranging from biopsy or even curative resections in selected cases to endoprosthetic replacement. Thus, good functional results can be achieved and maintained over often long survival times.