[Diagnosis and therapy of metastasis-induced pathologic fractures]

Improved survival rates of cancer patients have led to an increase in the incidence of metastatic disease of the bone. Normal load and minimal trauma may result in pathological fractures. The malignant diseases most commonly diagnosed were breast cancer, bronchial carcinoma and hypernephroma. The majority of the patients treated were female. The average interval observed between diagnosis of primary malignant disease and occurrence of the pathological fracture was 2.8 years. The purpose of the surgical procedure is to achieve immediate and lasting stability and ultimately to increase and restore the quality of life. Immediate postoperative mobilization and early functional treatment are an indispensable part of the management of pathologic fractures. If possible extensive bone destructions involving the risk of fracture should be stabilized prophylactically. Specific techniques of composite osteosyntheses of fractures in metastatic disease of the bone are presented.