Treatment of osseous metastases in patients with renal cell carcinoma

The role of surgery in advanced renal cell carcinoma: cytoreductive nephrectomy and metastasectomy

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is considered a relatively rare malignancy worldwide. Around a third of patients with RCC present with metastatic disease, and among those patients treated with nephrectomy with curative intent, more than one-third develop metastases during postoperative follow-up. Due to the absence of curative medical treatments for metastatic RCC, surgery remains the mainstay of therapy. Surgery plays a key role in two aspects: cytoreductive nephrectomy to remove the primary renal tumor in the presence of known metastatic disease, and metastasectomy to remove distant metastatic foci in patients with metastatic RCC.

Reconstruction with modular hemipelvic prosthesis for the resection of solitary periacetabular metastasis

BACKGROUND

The outcomes of patients with solitary metastasis around the acetabulum who received en bloc resection and reconstruction are unclear. The purpose is to evaluate the oncologic results, complications, and functional outcomes in these patients.

METHODS

Fifteen patients who underwent periacetabular resection and modular endoprosthetic reconstruction were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Eleven patients were alive and four had died of their respective diseases. The mean follow-up time for the living patients and the non-surviving patients was 32 and 11 months, respectively. One of the three patients presented with local recurrence received hindquarter amputation. Five patients with superficial wound problem were treated with debridement and were healed eventually. Two patients who had hip dislocation received closed reduction. Pain was relieved in most patients, and ten patients were able to walk outside their house. The average MSTS 93 score was 20.9 of a total of 30 points (69.7%). When evaluated according to the modified Allan scoring system, postoperative scores on pain, independence, and mobility had significant improvement.

CONCLUSION

En bloc tumor resection and reconstruction with modular hemipelvic prosthesis in patients who had a solitary periacetabular metastasis can provide long-term survive, tumor local control, low complication rate, and good functional recovery.

The clinical evaluation of bone tumors

Bone tumors are uncommon clinical entities that are often a source of diagnostic and therapeutic uncertainty. Evaluating these lesions starts with a patient history and physical examination Imaging then begins with radiographs, followed by advanced imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, or bone scan. Biopsy can be performed to establish histologic diagnosis by either closed or open means. Treatment options range from observation to wide resection with reconstruction or amputation. Surveillance schedules vary depending on the type of tumor that is being treated. An algorithm for the evaluation, work-up, and diagnosis of bone tumors is presented.

Pilot trial of bone-targeted therapy combining zoledronate with fluvastatin or atorvastatin for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The biological rationale for this study came from the observation that bisphosphonates and statins affect bone metastasis in different ways and thus combination therapy may provide synergistic benefit. This pilot trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of combining a bisphosphonate and a statin in patients with RCC metastatic to bone.

METHODS

Patients with RCC and bone metastasis received zoledronate and fluvastatin or atorvastatin. Patients were monitored clinically and by imaging for skeletal events. Concentrations of the bone resorption markers deoxypyridinoline (DPD) and N-telopeptide (NTX) and the bone formation marker bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) were monitored for changes during treatment.

RESULTS

Eleven patients were enrolled and followed for a median of 6 months. The median time to first skeletal-related event for all patients was 9.0 months. Seven (63%) patients experienced skeletal events with a median time to first skeletal-related event of 4.0 months (range, 3-18 months); 4 patients (36%) experiences no skeletal events for a median of 12 months of follow-up (range, 2-28 months); 4 patients (36%) demonstrated treatment responses with development of sclerosis in lytic bone lesions. Differences in the median changes in biomarker levels between patients who had skeletal events and those who did not were statistically significant for DPD and NTX (P = .03 and .01, respectively) but not for BSAP (P = .4). The regimen was well tolerated, with few adverse reactions related to the study drugs.

CONCLUSION

Although the use of bone-targeting therapy combining zoledronate and fluvastatin or atorvastatin affected certain bone biomarkers and provided bone response in several patients with RCC and bone metastasis, we could not demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in time to skeletal events.

Survival analysis of patients with femoral metastases

BACKGROUND

Previous studies reported on surgical indications for patients with femoral metastases. However, few studies analyzed the spectrum of femoral metastatic presentation. We performed this study to evaluate the survival of patients with femoral metastases, and clarify the treatment of femoral impending and actual pathological fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively studied 110 patients with femoral metastases from various cancers treated with nailing or resection and megaprosthetic reconstruction from 1995 to 2010. The mean follow-up was 18 months. Survival was analyzed with respect to different metastatic presentations regarding gender, type of cancer, number, and location of femoral metastases, type of surgery, and pathological fracture.

RESULTS

Univariate predictors of survival were the pathological fracture and type of surgery; multivariate predictor was only the pathological fracture. Survival was significantly higher in patients with resection compared to nailing, impending compared to actual fracture, solitary metastasis and impending fracture, actual fracture treated with resection, proximal femoral actual fracture and distal femoral impending fracture treated with resection.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with femoral metastases have better survival when present with impending compared to actual pathological fracture. Although with a higher rate of complications, patients with pathological fractures of the proximal and distal femur may benefit from resection.

Skeletal metastasis in renal cell carcinoma: current and future management options

Metastasis to the skeleton is common in advanced renal cancer and leads to debilitating skeletal complications including severe pain, increased fracture rate and spinal cord compression. The incidence of renal cell carcinoma is increasing by around 2% per year and recent advances in targeted anti-angiogenic therapy for advanced disease are expected to lead to longer survival times. The clinical management of metastatic bone disease in renal cell carcinoma therefore merits greater focus than hitherto. Bone metastases arising from renal cancer are highly osteolytic and particularly destructive. Fortunately, the continuing development of anti-resorptive drugs is revolutionising the medical management of metastatic bone disease across many tumour types and making a major impact on quality of life. The bisphosphonate zoledronic acid is now licensed for use in advanced renal cell carcinoma and appears to yield a greater benefit in terms of reduction in skeletal related events than in bone metastases arising from other tumour types. Drugs which are directed at specific targets in the bone metastasis pathway are in development, including denosumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody against receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand, which has recently been licensed in the United States for use in renal cell carcinoma, with European licensing expected soon. This review examines the increasing options for treatment of metastatic bone disease in renal cell carcinoma, with a focus on drug-based advances and progress in the development of existing and new biomarkers to support clinical management.

Metastases of the pelvis: does resection improve survival?

Limited data are available to compare the outcome of wide en bloc resection and curettage for pelvic metastases. Previous studies have reported that curettage is associated with high mortality and decreased survival compared to wide resection and have justified consideration of a radical surgical approach to achieve pain palliation and tumor control. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of curettage/marginal resection compared to wide en bloc resection for patients with pelvic metastases. The hypothesis was that wide resection does not improve survival even in patients with solitary pelvic metastases.Between 1985 and 2009, twenty-one patients with pelvic metastases were treated with wide resection (12 patients) and curettage/marginal resection (9 patients) and adjuvants. Sixteen patients had solitary pelvic metastases. At a mean of 28 months (range, 2-152 months), we found no difference in survival to death or local recurrence with wide en bloc resection compared to curettage or marginal resection, even in patients with solitary pelvic metastases. The overall survival to death and local recurrence was 30% and 47% at 60 months, respectively. Survival to death of patients treated with wide resection was 18% at 60 months compared to 62% at 60 months of patients treated with curettage/marginal resection; no difference in survival to death between wide resection and curettage/marginal resection was observed even in patients with solitary pelvic metastases. Survival to local recurrence of patients treated with wide en bloc resection was 67% at 36 months compared to 26% at 36 months of patients treated with curettage/marginal resection; this was also not statistically significant. One patient treated with wide resection for a solitary pelvic metastasis had a postoperative complication.

Intramedullary nails for long bone metastases: why do they fail?

Metastatic disease to long bones is common and often requires stabilization to treat or prevent fracture. Intramedullary fixation is used in many metaphyseal and diaphyseal lesions. The goal of this study was to investigate the causes of and risk factors for reconstructive failure in intramedullary fixation of metastatic disease. We performed a retrospective review of 112 consecutive reconstructions for metastatic disease treated with an isolated intramedullary nail. There were 81 reconstructions in the femur, 25 in the humerus, and 6 in the tibia. All included patients were followed until death or reconstructive failure. All surviving patients had a minimum 2-year follow-up.Ten failures required construct revision. Median time to revision was 17.9 months (range, 3-93 months). The causes of failure included surgeon error, tumor progression, nonunion, and hardware failure. Patients with short survival times (P<.001) or a diagnosis of lung cancer (P=.029) were unlikely to fail. Revision was required in 6 solitary lesions (P=.012), 3 cases of lymphoma (P=.002), 3 cases of progressive renal cell carcinoma (P=.040), and 2 radiation-associated fractures (P=.007).Intramedullary stabilization is a successful operation for appropriate lesions. Failures may be minimized with proper implant selection and surgical technique, resection or curettage of renal cell carcinoma, avoidance of radiation-associated fractures, and overestimating patient survival.

Treatment outcome and prognostic factors in renal cell cancer patients with bone metastasis

We retrospectively analyzed treatment outcomes and factors for poor prognosis for patients with renal cell cancer (RCC) bone metastases. Patients with bone metastases at initial diagnosis of metastasis secondary from RCC, treated at our hospital between 1984 and 2009, were retrospectively reviewed and statistically analyzed. Among 214 RCC patients with metastasis, 71 patients (33%) were found to have bone metastases at initial diagnosis of metastasis. The median follow-up was 21.1 months (intra-quartile range: IQR, 9.1-47.4 months). The estimated median overall survival time from the diagnosis of bone metastasis was 27.7 months. The probability of patients surviving at 1, 2, and 5 years was 63.7, 52.2, and 19.3%, respectively. When they were stratified by MSKCC scores, the probability of the median overall survival of the populations classified as favorable, intermediate, and poor was not reached, 32.9, and 10.5 months, respectively (P = 0.002). In addition, poor performance status (PS) (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.938, P = 0.035) and no prior nephrectomy (HR: 3.008, P = 0.004) were extracted as independent poor prognostic factors by multivariate analysis. All treatment modalities-including radical en bloc surgery, radiation therapy, cytokine therapy, molecular targeted therapy, and administration of zoledronic acid-seemed to contribute to favorable survival. More than half of the patients with bone metastases secondary from RCC were predicted to survive more than 24 months. In this population, MSKCC scores were valid predictors of survival. With increased treatment options, RCC patients with bone metastasis may benefit further from subsequent modalities and/or agents.

Skeletal complications and survival in renal cancer patients with bone metastases

Skeletal metastases occur in around one third of patients with advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Skeletal involvement is commonly an aggressive, lytic process which causes substantial morbidity through skeletal complications and occurrence of skeletal related events (SREs). However, compared with bone metastases in breast and prostate cancer, there is a paucity of data relating to the demographics of bone metastases in RCC and their sequelae in terms of SREs and survival. The study population included all patients (N=803) with advanced or metastatic RCC treated in a tertiary centre serving a regional population of 2.6 million between 1998 and 2007. Demographic and survival data and information relating to metastatic disease were extracted from electronic records. Thirty-two percent (N=254) of the study population presented with (N=131) or later developed (N=123) bone metastases and 83% of these (N=210) also developed metastases elsewhere. The mean number of SREs experienced by the bone metastatic patients over the course of their disease was 2.4 and only 37 patients experienced no SRE. A high proportion of patients (80%) received radiotherapy for bone pain and there was a surprising and strikingly high incidence of spinal cord/nerve root compression, which was experienced by 28% patients. Although bisphosphonate use increased following the availability of zoledronic acid in 2004, approximately 50% patients with bone metastases did not receive bisphosphonate treatment. The skeletal morbidity rate (number of SREs per patient years at risk) was 1.0 and 1.4 for patients who received or did not receive bisphosphonates, respectively. The median survival following diagnosis of RCC was similar in patients who developed bone metastases (20.4 months) and those who did not (20.9 months). Median survival from diagnosis of metastases was 13.3 months for those who never developed bone metastases, 10.6 months for those who presented with them, 19.6 months for those who developed them later and 22.6 months for patients who had bone only metastases. This is the largest study to date focusing specifically on skeletal complications in RCC. A striking finding was the high incidence of spinal cord/nerve root compression and more research into this area is needed. Clearer, internationally accepted guidelines are recommended for the management of this patient group.

A novel classification system for spinal instability in neoplastic disease: an evidence-based approach and expert consensus from the Spine Oncology Study Group

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and modified Delphi technique.

OBJECTIVE

To use an evidence-based medicine process using the best available literature and expert opinion consensus to develop a comprehensive classification system to diagnose neoplastic spinal instability.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Spinal instability is poorly defined in the literature and presently there is a lack of guidelines available to aid in defining the degree of spinal instability in the setting of neoplastic spinal disease. The concept of spinal instability remains important in the clinical decision-making process for patients with spine tumors.

METHODS

We have integrated the evidence provided by systematic reviews through a modified Delphi technique to generate a consensus of best evidence and expert opinion to develop a classification system to define neoplastic spinal instability.

RESULTS

A comprehensive classification system based on patient symptoms and radiographic criteria of the spine was developed to aid in predicting spine stability of neoplastic lesions. The classification system includes global spinal location of the tumor, type and presence of pain, bone lesion quality, spinal alignment, extent of vertebral body collapse, and posterolateral spinal element involvement. Qualitative scores were assigned based on relative importance of particular factors gleaned from the literature and refined by expert consensus.

CONCLUSION

The Spine Instability Neoplastic Score is a comprehensive classification system with content validity that can guide clinicians in identifying when patients with neoplastic disease of the spine may benefit from surgical consultation. It can also aid surgeons in assessing the key components of spinal instability due to neoplasia and may become a prognostic tool for surgical decision-making when put in context with other key elements such as neurologic symptoms, extent of disease, prognosis, patient health factors, oncologic subtype, and radiosensitivity of the tumor.

Bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma: patient survival after surgical treatment

Background

Surgery is the primary treatment of skeletal metastases from renal cell carcinoma, because radiation and chemotherapy frequently are not effecting the survival. We therefore explored factors potentially affecting the survival of patients after surgical treatment.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 101 patients operatively treated for skeletal metastases of renal cell carcinoma between 1980 and 2005. Overall survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The effects of different variables were evaluated using a log-rank test.

Results

27 patients had a solitary bone metastasis, 20 patients multiple bone metastases and 54 patients had concomitant visceral metastases. The overall survival was 58% at 1 year, 37% at 2 years and 12% at 5 years. Patients with solitary bone metastases had a better survival (p < 0.001) compared to patients with multiple metastases. Age younger than 65 years (p = 0.036), absence of pathologic fractures (p < 0.001) and tumor-free resection margins (p = 0.028) predicted higher survival. Gender, location of metastases, time between diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma and treatment of metastatic disease, incidence of local recurrence, radiation and chemotherapy did not influence survival.

Conclusions

The data suggest that patients with a solitary metastasis or a limited number of resectable metastases are candidates for wide resections. As radiation and chemotherapy are ineffective in most patients, surgery is a better option to achieve local tumor control and increase the survival.

[What is the importance of kidney cancer surgery in contrast with targeted therapies?]

Despite the extraordinary development of the medical treatment of kidney cancer, its treatment remains very surgical in localized and metastatic stage. Advances in surgery have accompanied the advent of targeted therapies. The laparoscopy has become the reference procedure for radical nephrectomy in the case of T1-T2 tumors. Partial nephrectomy, currently widespread, should be the first surgical procedure to consider in cases of tumors less than 4 cm. Partial nephrectomy for tumors between 4 and 7 cm is feasible for selected patients with favorable tumor localization. In the future, the use of neo-adjuvant anti-angiogenesis agents could broaden the scope of partial nephrectomy. Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is spreading but is still considered as a therapeutic option, conducted in reference centres. In case of metastatic disease, pending the results of randomized trials including patients on anti-angiogenesis agents, cytoreductive nephrectomy remains indicated for patients in good general condition with kidney cancer metastatic immediately.

Survival of patients with skeletal metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma after surgical management

Skeletal metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma are highly destructive vascular lesions which severely reduce the quality of life. Pre-existing liver cirrhosis presents unique challenges during the surgical management of such lesions. We carried out a retrospective study of 42 patients who had been managed surgically for skeletal metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma affecting the appendicular skeleton between January 2000 and December 2006. There were 38 men and four women with a mean age of 60.2 years (46 to 77). Surgery for a pathological fracture was undertaken in 30 patients and because of a high risk of fracture in 12. An intralesional surgical margin was achieved in 36 and a wide margin in six. Factors influencing survival were determined by univariate and multivariate analyses. The survival rates at one, two and three years after surgery were 42.2%, 25.8% and 19.8%, respectively. The median survival time was ten months (95% confidence interval 6.29 to 13.71). The number of skeletal metastases and the Child-Pugh grade were identified as independent prognostic factors by Cox regression analysis. The method of management of the hepatocellular carcinoma, its status in the liver, the surgical margin for skeletal metastases, the presence of a pathological fracture and adjuvant radiotherapy were not found to be significantly related to the survival of the patient, which was affected by hepatic function, as represented by the Child-Pugh grade.

[Surgical treatment for renal cancer metastases]

Complete removal of metastatic lesions can contribute to improve clinical prognosis of renal cancer. Nowadays, it is accepted that surgical extirpation of solitary metastases for patients with renal cancer is the only potential for long-term survival. Provided that the metastases could be technical and functionally resected. This review addresses the current evidence about resecable renal cancer metastases at lung, liver, bone, kidney and other organs. The criteria to consider a patient as candidate for resection of metastases are: control of primary tumor, surgical extirpation feasibility and lack of systemic disease. In patients with synchronous metastases, the surgical extirpation should be performed at the same time than nephrectomy. The clinical prognosis is worse when metastases are asynchronous. After the introduction of novel anti-angiogenic agents, surgery is also justified in patients with good responses. Although, this approach remains in the field of investigation.

Surgical management of metastatic bone disease

Metastatic bone disease is a major contributor to the deterioration of the quality of life of patients with cancer; it causes pain, impending and actual pathological fractures, and loss of function and may also be associated with considerable metabolic alterations. Operative treatment may be required for an impending or existing fracture and intractable pain. The goals of surgery are to provide local tumor control and allow immediate weight-bearing and function. Radiation therapy is often indicated postoperatively. Detailed preoperative evaluation is required to assess the local extent of bone destruction and soft-tissue involvement, involvement of other skeletal sites, and the overall medical and oncological status.

Lateral ankle reconstruction using a patellar tendon graft: a case report

A 64-year-old patient presented with a solitary osseous metastasis of the renal cell carcinoma. The localization of the metastasis in the distal fibula is rare. A distal fibulectomy was performed, and the lateral ankle ligaments were reconstructed using a patellar bone-tendon-bone allograft. Postoperatively the ankle was immobilized in plaster, followed by mobilization with an ankle brace. One year postoperatively the result was good. The ascribed method is a new and elegant way of reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments after distal fibulectomy. Lateral fibulectomy is rare, thus making the ascribed way of reconstruction rare. We think, however, for this specific indication this operation deserves a place among other lateral ankle reconstructions.

LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE

4.

Managing acrometastases treatment strategy with a case illustration

The hand is the site of a great variety of benign lesions and, rarely, of malignant lesions. Acrometastasis can be the first manifestation of occult malignancy. Frequently, these lesions present in a similar way to benign conditions leading to erroneous diagnosis and inappropriate treatment. When located in the finger, the most frequent cause is lung cancer, while in the toes it is due to genito-urinary tumours. Awareness of the possibility of metastatic disease during orthopaedic assessment is essential to decrease patient morbidity. A case that was referred to our institution with a single metastasis in a digit from occult gastric adenocarcinoma is used to illustrate the way these lesions are managed. The diagnostic difficulties are summarised and an overview of literature was performed to determine management pathways to aid others in the treatment of these case.

[Surgery for thoracic metastases from urological malignancies]

Surgery of thoracic metastases from urological malignancies essentially concerns renal carcinoma and non seminomatous testicular germ cell tumors (NSGCT). Complete resection of renal cell cancer lung metastases can be done with low mortality and an appreciable long survival rate, especially for single lesion with a long free interval. For NSGCT, resection of all pulmonary lesions and mediastinal residual masses after chemotherapy affords a very high long term survival rate. In the case of multiple lesions, surgical approaches must be carefully chosen.

Proximal femoral endoprosthesis for the treatment of metastatic

Traditional reconstructive options may not always be adequate to treat the extensive bone loss that can occur with metastatic disease of the proximal femur. Another method of treatment is resection of the proximal femur and reconstruction with an endoprosthesis. However, the more extensive surgery raises concern for a higher perioperative complication rate in this potentially medically unstable population. This study reviewed 57 patients with metastatic disease treated with 58 proximal femoral endoprostheses. The only perioperative complications were 2 symptomatic deep venous thromboses. Late complications included 3 dislocations, 2 deep venous thromboses, 1 pulmonary embolism, and 4 infections. Three deaths occurred during the perioperative period, all from underlying cancer. Proximal femoral endoprostheses offer a safe treatment option for patients with extensive metastatic disease.

Renal epithelial neoplasms: diagnostic applications of gene expression profiling

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common form of kidney cancer in adults. RCC is a significant challenge for pathologic diagnosis and clinical management. The primary approach to diagnosis is by light microscopy, using the World Health Organization (WHO) classification system, which defines histopathologic tumor subtypes with distinct clinical behavior and underlying genetic mutations. However, light microscopic diagnosis of RCC subtypes can be difficult due to variable histology, morphologic features shared by tumor subtypes, and a growing frequency of small tumor biopsies with limited morphologic information. In addition to these diagnostic problems, the clinical behavior of RCC is highly variable, and therapeutic response rates are poor. Few clinical assays are available to predict outcome in RCC or correlate behavior with histology. Therefore, novel RCC classification systems based on gene expression should be useful for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Recent microarray studies have shown that renal tumors are characterized by distinct gene expression profiles, which can be used to discover novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Here, we review clinical features of kidney cancer, the WHO classification system, and the growing role of molecular classification for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of this disease.

Palliative care in orthopaedic surgical oncology

Hundreds of thousands of Americans are affected every year by skeletal complications of oncologic disease. Recent developments in medical oncology, radiation oncology and radiology, particularly with respect to the use of bisphosphonate medication and radiofrequency techniques, have served to greatly lessen the morbidity associated with metastatic skeletal disease. Similarly, there has been significant advancement in the field of orthopaedic oncology in the areas of internal fixation, endoprosthetic implant design, and minimally invasive kyphoplasty technology. Given the palliative intent of intervention in this patient population, the goal of treatment of skeletal metastases must be optimization of limb function and ultimately, quality of life.

Patient survival after surgery for osseous metastases from renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Skeletal metastases from renal cell carcinoma are highly destructive vascular lesions. They pose unique surgical challenges due to the risk of life-threatening hemorrhage and resistance to other treatments. The goal of this retrospective study was to evaluate factors that may affect survival after surgical treatment of metastases of renal cell carcinoma.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of a series of 295 consecutive patients who had been treated for metastatic renal cell carcinoma at one institution between 1974 and 2004. There were 226 men and sixty-nine women. A total of 368 metastases of renal cell tumors to the extremities and pelvis were treated. The surgical procedures included curettage with cementing and/or internal fixation (214 tumors), en bloc resection (117), closed nailing (twenty-seven), amputation (four), and other measures (six). Overall survival was calculated with Kaplan-Meier analysis. The log-rank test was used to evaluate the effect of different variables on overall survival.

RESULTS

The overall patient survival rates at one and five years were 47% and 11%, respectively. The metastatic pattern had a significant effect on the survival rate (p < 0.0001): patients with a solitary bone metastasis had the most favorable overall survival rate. Patients with multiple bone-only metastases had a better survival rate than patients with pulmonary metastases (p = 0.009). A clear-cell histological subtype was also associated with better survival (p < 0.0001). The tumor grade did not predict survival (p = 0.17). Fifteen patients (5%) died within four weeks after surgery. The causes included acute pulmonary failure (seven patients), multiorgan failure (six), cerebrovascular accident (one), and hypercalcemia (one). There were no deaths attributable to intraoperative hemorrhage.

DISCUSSION

Survival beyond twelve months is possible for a substantial proportion of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Patients with a clear-cell histological subtype, bone-only metastases, and a solitary metastasis have superior survival rates. The presence of pulmonary metastases does not predict early death in a reliable manner, and some patients may survive for years with pulmonary and systemic disease. The data are important for surgeons to consider when choosing treatment for these patients. For example, local control of disease and implant stability are important issues for patients with a potential for a long duration of survival.

Radiotherapy to bone has utility in multifocal metastatic renal carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma metastases to bone are classically considered radioresistant. We reviewed 28 patients who underwent irradiation for metastatic renal cell carcinomas to bone to test the hypothesis that irradiation of renal metastases to bone provides adequate palliation in carefully selected patients. Metastases were multifocal in all patients. All patients were followed until death. Overall, 36 index radiotherapy treatments were given as palliative initial treatment for 36 osseous metastatic sites. Twenty-five of 36 sites (69.5%) had no subsequent radiotherapy. Eight sites (22.2%) underwent repeat radiotherapy at a mean 28.9 weeks after treatment. Two (5.6%) additional sites underwent surgery at the site at an average 74 weeks later, and a pathologic fracture occurred at one (2.8%) site 3 weeks after irradiation. Overall, 33 of 36 (91.7%) sites had only radiotherapy as their source of palliation. Median times to return to pretreatment pain and functional levels, however, were 2 months and 1 month, respectively. Radiotherapy to osseous sites appears to control pain for the short term and generally prevents fractures and avoids the need for surgery in renal cell carcinoma patients with multiple bone metastases.

Disease- and recurrence-free survival after surgical resection of solitary bone metastases of the pelvis

For patients with advanced cancer who present with or develop a bone lesion as the only focus of cancer beyond the primary site, en bloc resection of the metastasis may optimize local tumor control, provide durable pain relief, and possibly prolong patient survival. For patients with pelvic metastasis, however, this surgery can be associated with a high risk of complications. We analyzed fourteen consecutive patients with a solitary metastasis to the bony pelvis who underwent en bloc resection to determine if the benefits of surgery outweigh the surgical morbidity. The epicenter of the tumor was isolated to the ilium (four patients), the pubis (one patient), and the ischium (three patients), or to the periacetabular region (six patients). Surgical margins were negative for tumor in 13 of 14 patients. No local recurrence developed at last follow-up for six survivors (median 74.5 months) and eight non-survivors (median 53 months). Local pain relief was achieved in all patients. For patients with a solitary pelvic metastasis, the favorable median patient survival justifies consideration of a radical surgical approach to achieve pain palliation and tumor control.

Outcomes of an anatomically based approach to metastatic disease of the acetabulum

Metastatic disease of the acetabulum is a common and challenging surgical problem. We asked whether acetabular reconstruction for metastatic bone disease improves functional outcome with an acceptable risk of surgical morbidity. We also asked if primary tumor type and the presence of visceral metastases predicted patient survival. We analyzed prospectively accumulated records of 62 consecutive patients who underwent 63 hip arthroplasties with acetabular reconstruction. Operative technique was guided by the extent of dome and column involvement. Demographics, functional status in the form of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, and survival data were analyzed. Functional scores improved from an average of 2.6 preoperatively to 1.1 postoperatively. Four patients had postoperative complications for which we performed further surgery. Mean survival for the patients with breast cancer was longer at 21 months compared to 9 months for the patients with other primary malignancies. Patients who did not present with visceral metastases had longer survival than those with visceral metastases. Despite the moderate risk of operative complications, an anatomically based approach to reconstruction of acetabular defects from metastatic disease improves functional outcome. Breast cancer as the primary malignancy and the absence of visceral metastases predicted longer survival.

Tumours of the hand

Hand tumours of soft-tissue and bony origin are frequently encountered, and clinicians must be able to distinguish typical benign entities from life-threatening or limb-threatening malignant diseases. In this Review, we present a diagnostic approach to hand tumours and describe selected cancers and their treatments. Soft-tissue tumours include ganglion cysts, giant-cell cancers and fibromas of the tendon sheath, epidermal inclusion cysts, lipomas, vascular lesions, peripheral-nerve tumours, skin cancers, and soft-tissue sarcomas. Bony tumours encompass enchondromas, aneurysmal bone cysts, osteoid osteomas, giant-cell lesions of bone, bone sarcomas, and metastases. We look at rates of recurrence and 5-year survival, and recommendations for adjunct chemotherapy and radiotherapy for malignant lesions.

Diagnostik von Knochenmetastasen urologischer Tumoren und deren Behandlung mit Bisphosphonaten

The diagnostic algorithm in cases of suspected bone metastases of genitourinary tumors still starts with a scintigraphic examination. Osseous metastases of hormone-refractory prostate cancer require treatment with zoledronic acid. A potential indication is a hormone-sensitive status. Nephrotoxic substances should not be administered simultaneously. To avoid osteonecrosis of the jaw, prior dental examination, oral hygiene, and if necessary dental reconstruction are recommended. Bisphosphonates can be combined with radiation therapy and chemotherapy; additional administration of calcium and vitamin D is not mandatory. It is recommended that patients with bone metastases of renal cell cancer be treated with bisphosphonates approved for this indication. For urothelial carcinoma and other genitourinary tumors, the available data are not sufficient to give a recommendation.

Survival and prognostic classification of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma of bone

OBJECTIVES

We retrospectively analyzed the survival of renal cell carcinoma patients with bone metastases, and identified prognostic factors and a model predictive for survival in these patients.

METHODS

Fifty patients with renal cell carcinoma with osseous metastases were treated at Hokkaido University Hospital between 1980 and 2004. The relationship between several clinical features and survival was examined univariately. The Cox proportional hazards model was then used to form a multivariate model.

RESULTS

The median survival time from the diagnosis of bone metastasis was 12 mo, and overall survival at 2 yr was 37%. Clinical features correlated with longer survival in the multivariate analysis were a long interval (24 mo or more) between the diagnosis of kidney cancer and that of osseous metastasis (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.608; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.031-6.599) and the absence of extraosseous metastases (HR: 2.523; 95%CI, 1.023-6.220). By combining these two favorable factors, renal cell carcinoma patients with osseous metastases could be categorized into two different groups. The median time to death in 20 patients with zero favorable factors (poor prognosis) was 5 mo. On the other hand, 30 patients had one or two favorable factors (good prognosis); the median survival time in this group was 30 mo. There was a significant difference in survival duration between the two groups (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Two prognostic factors predicting survival were identified and used to categorize renal cell carcinoma patients with bone metastasis into two prognostic groups.

Integrating Metastasectomy in the Management of Advanced Urological Malignancies—Where are we in 2005?

PURPOSE

In the past patients with metastatic cancer were considered incurable and they were not candidates for surgical management of metastases. However, experience with testicular cancer has shown that metastasectomy can often be the final, critical step in achieving disease-free status. We summarized the most current data on metastasectomy for advanced urological malignancies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed an extensive review of the literature from 1990 to the present using MEDLINE. Only original reports were included with an emphasis on specific malignancies and specific sites of metastasis.

RESULTS

There is increasing evidence that patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and bladder carcinoma can be cured by surgical resection of metastases, usually combined with systemic therapy. The ideal patient has responded to systemic therapy and has few metastatic sites.

CONCLUSIONS

Metastasectomy should frequently be done in patients with advanced testicular cancer and it should increasingly be considered in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma or bladder carcinoma. This technique may be used for cure and palliation. Specific patient factors determine the likelihood and degree of potential benefit.

Solitary bony metastasis from renal cell carcinoma: significance of surgical treatment

To define the importance of the type of surgical treatment, we retrospectively analyzed the survival rate of 60 patients with solitary bony metastasis from renal cell carcinoma. Thirteen patients had wide resection, 20 had local stabilization, and 27 patients had no surgical treatment, but had adjuvant treatment alone. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 83%, 45%, and 23%, respectively. Patients with surgical treatment (wide or intralesional resection) survived longer compared with patients who had no surgical treatment but had adjuvant treatment modalities. However, there was no survival advantage for patients who had a wide resection of the lesion compared with patients who had intralesional resection or intramedullary stabilization alone. Our results indicate that wide surgical excision of a solitary bony metastasis from renal cell carcinoma is not mandatory to improve survival. However, because three of 20 patients (15%) treated with stabilization alone had local disease progression, wide resection of metastatic lesions and stabilization may be necessary to prevent local disease progression and complications.

Patient survival after hip arthroplasty for metastatic disease of the hip

BACKGROUND

The hip joint is a common location for metastatic disease. Actual as well as impending fractures at this site are frequently due to mechanical instability after tumor invasion and are usually treated surgically with hip arthroplasty. The objective of this study was to analyze survival and influences on survival after hip arthroplasty for metastatic hip disease.

METHODS

Two hundred and ninety-nine patients who had undergone a total of 306 hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty procedures for treatment of a pathologic or an impending pathologic hip fracture between 1969 and 1996 at our institution were included in this study. Data that had been acquired prospectively within the total joint registry of our institution were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The median duration of survival after the arthroplasty was 8.6 months. The duration of survival was significantly associated with the site of the fracture, location of the primary tumor, and time from the diagnosis of the primary tumor to the surgery for the fracture (p < or = 0.05). The time from the diagnosis to the arthroplasty was a significant independent predictor of survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing hip arthroplasty for metastatic disease have a limited life expectancy, with only 40% (120) of the 299 patients in our series still alive at one year after the surgery. By identifying prognostic factors regarding life expectancy, this study provides surgeons and oncologists with information with which to weigh risks and benefits of hip arthroplasty for individual patients preoperatively.

The hand in metastatic disease and acral manifestations of paraneoplastic syndromes

Metastatic tumors to the hand and wrist are rare, accounting for approximately 0.1% of all metastatic lesions to the skeleton. The biochemically mediated pathways of bone metastases, the location of the hand at the distal extremity, and the small amount of marrow in the bones of the hand and wrist account for the low prevalence of acrometastases. More rarely, hand dermatologic and soft tissue changes of paraneoplastic syndromes herald an occult malignancy.