Treatment of metastatic bone lesions in the upper extremity: indications for surgery

Pathological fractures caused by metastatic malignant disease have been the subject of increasing interest in recent years. This article describes our experience with the treatment of metastatic bone disease of the upper extremity and our attempt to clarify the indications for different surgical procedures. Of 53 patients with metastatic lesions to the upper extremity, 20 who had been surgically treated were analyzed retrospectively. These comprised 13 men and 7 women with a mean patient age of 62 years. The most common primary tumors to metastasize were lung and liver, with the humerus involved in 12 cases and the scapula and forearm in 4 cases each. Four patients with scapula and forearm involvement underwent tumor resection due to uncontrollable tumor size, while 3 were successfully treated by selective arterial embolization. Three metastases to the humeral head were reconstructed with endoprosthesis, but functional restriction was noted. Five cases with metastases to the humeral shaft were treated with tumor curettage, internal fixation using intramedullary nailing, adjuvant cryosurgery, and cementing. This achieved good results for pain relief and functional restoration with minimal complications. Two metastases to the humeral condyle were unable to be stabilized with plate and locking screws. Metastatic lesions to the scapula and forearm are commonly treated nonsurgically, but some patients with uncontrollable tumor mass require surgical resection. Endoprosthetic replacement is recommended if the lesion involves the humeral head or condyle. Most patients with the humeral shaft lesion are likely to benefit from tumor curettage, intramedullary nailing with locking screw, and cementing.