OBJECTIVETo improve the life quality of cancer patients with metastasis to long bone and to select suitable surgical treatment.

METHODSFifty two patients with metastasis 27 men and 25 women, were treated from 1990 to 1999. Their average age was 56.8 years (33 - 74). In 16 patients with multiple lesions, underwent surgery at bone shaft (29 patients) and bone epiphysis (26). Thirty patients were treated for pathologic fracture and the rest for impending fracture. Operations included limb-salvage (51 patients) and amputation (4) Limb salvage consisted of intralesional curettage (3 patients), intramedullary nailing reconstruction (29), endoprosthesis (18), and temporary spacer (1). 21 patients accepted postoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

RESULTSFollow-up of 52 patients for a mean of 28.2 months (2 - 122 months) showed pain relief (41 patients), (75%) and full or part weight-bearing stability (36) 69%. Local tumor recurrence occurred in 11 patients.

CONCLUSIONSSurgical treatment can effectively improve the life quality of patients with metastasis to long bone. The metastatic lesions should be resected with wide or radical margin for the patients with kidney, breast, prostate and thyroid cancer.