Options for surgical treatment of malignant bone tumors

Beside the susceptibility to a (neo-) adjuvant therapy, the surgical margin is the most important prognostic factor in the treatment of primary malignant bone tumors. If adjuvant therapy is not possible,the outcome of the disease depends on the selected surgical treatment. Limb salvage has proven to be a safe procedure for local tumor control and provides good functional results. The surgeon has to consider the best surgical option depending on the site and size of the tumor but also depending on the patient's age and the overall prognosis. Surgical techniques and possible complications of the most common procedures in tumor surgery are described.