Treatment methods for neoplastic metastates and tumor-like changes in the bodies and epiphyses of long bones using polymethyl methacrylate cement and bone grafting

Background. The objective of our study was to evaluate the stabilization of reconstructed long bones after metastatic tumor resection and defect filling with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or bone allograft. Material and methods. We studied a group of 107 patients who underwent surgery between 1996 and 2004 (55 females and 46 males). A primary neoplasmatic focus was found after histopathological examination in 58 cases, in 29 the histopathology was not evident, and in 20 cases no neoplastic tissue was found. Metastases were found within the femur in 73 cases, in the humerus in 19 cases, and in the tibia in 15 cases. Stabilization was performed using the traditional AO method, intramedullary nailing, or DHS/DCS fixation. Results. Taking into consideration clinical and radiological assessment, outcomes varied from fair to good. Better outcome was obtained in cases treated by polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) filling combined with intramedullary nailing or DCS/DHS than in cases treated with traditional AO plating. For tumor-like lesions, complete bone graft consolidation was found after bone allograft filling in 14 of 20 cases. Conclusions. The 2 methods of long bone stabilization mentioned above, combined with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or bone allograft filling, is the method of choice. Deep frozen bone grafting is possible only in cases of total tumor resection with the possibility of non-malignant tumor. The effect of reconstruction, besides fair or good outcome, included improved quality of life, less consumption of analgesics, and in many cases successful avoidance of pathological fracture.