Outcomes after limb sparing resection in primary malignant pelvic tumors

To evaluate morbidity, oncologic results and functional outcome in patients with malignant tumors of pelvis treated with limb sparing resection.

Between March 2002 and November 2010, 106 cases of non metastatic malignant pelvic tumors were treated with limb sparing resections of pelvis. Diagnosis included chondrosarcoma (65), Ewing's sarcoma (25), osteogenic sarcoma (10), synovial sarcoma (3) and malignant fibrous histiocytoma, high grade sarcoma, epitheloid hemangiothelioma (1 each). Three patients had intralesional surgery because of erroneous pre-operative diagnosis of benign tumor and were excluded from final analysis. Remaining 103 patients underwent limb sparing resections with intent to achieve tumor free margins. In 1 case, an intraoperative cardiac event lead to the surgery being abandoned. Reconstruction was done in 2 of 38 cases that did not include resection of acetabulum. For 64 resections involving acetabulum various reconstruction modalities were used.

Surgical margins were involved in 20 patients. Forty five patients had complications. 91 patients were available for follow up. Follow up of survivors ranged from 24 to 122 months (mean 55 months).Twenty one patients (23%) had local recurrence. Sixty patients are currently alive, 46 being continuously disease free. Overall survival was 67% at 5 years. Patients in whom acetabulum was retained had better function (mean MSTS score 27) compared to patients in whom acetabulum was resected (mean MSTS score 22).

Though complex and challenging, limb sparing surgery in non metastatic malignant tumors is oncologically safe and has better functional outcomes than after an amputation surgery.