Adamantinoma of bone: Long-term follow-up of 46 consecutive patients

Adamantinomas are rare bone tumors, commonly affecting the tibia. Due to the rare nature of disease, previous studies are small or from multiple centers. The purpose of this study is to investigate outcomes of patients with adamantinoma treated in a single institution.

Forty-six histological confirmed adamantinomas of the extremities were reviewed at our institution between 1939 and 2012. Follow-up data included clinical and radiographical information focusing on complications, local recurrence, metastasis, and overall survival after the treatment. The mean follow-up was 16 years (range 2-42 years).

The most common location was the tibia (n = 31). Patients commonly presented with pain and swelling. The mean age was 24 years (7-79 years). Thirty-seven patients were treated with limb salvage. The 39% of patients required a reoperation. The 10-year disease specific- and recurrence free survival was 92% and 72%, with three patients having a recurrence over 15 years postoperative. Older (> 20 years) patients and males were at increased risk of local recurrence (P < 0.05).

Treatment of adamantinoma of the long bone consists of limb-salvage surgery. Male patients should be cautioned on their increased risk of disease recurrence, and advocate for continued surveillance of patients even greater than 15-years postoperatively due to late tumor recurrence.