Surgical treatment of myeloma of bone

33 patients treated operatively for plasma cell disease were analysed. There were 21 men and 12 women with an average age of 54 years. There was an undefined bone tumour in 23 cases, and a pathologic fracture in 10 cases. In only 6 cases was the diagnosis known before the operation. The primary tumour localisations were: vertebral column in 13, pelvis in 7, femur in 6, humerus in 2, rib in 1, tibia in 1, fibula in 1, scapula in 1 and olecranon in 1 case. 16 diagnostic biopsies were taken. Vertebral tumours were mainly evacuated or decompressed, combined with a stabilising procedure in 8 cases. A total of six endoprostheses, five to the femur and one to the humerus were performed. Two primarily wide resections, to the fibula and to the scapula were done. There were no locally recurring tumours during a mean follow-up time of 4 years and 2 months, and we conclude that operative and oncologic treatment is successful in providing the patient with a stable, pain-free locomotive system.