Related Experiment Videos
Clinical Characteristics and Surgical Management Challenges of Malignant Tumors of the Foot and Ankle: A Descriptive
Galip Beltir1, Recep Öztürk2, İsmail Burak Atalay2
1Ali Evran University, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Yenimahalle, Ankara Turkey.
Introduction:
Malignant bone and soft tissue tumors of the foot and ankle are rare and pose unique challenges due to the complex and compact anatomy of this region. This study presents a single-center experience in the surgical management of malignant tumors located in the foot and ankle and discusses clinical challenges and prognostic trends.
Methods:
Data from 30 patients who underwent surgical treatment for malignant tumors of the foot and ankle between 2009 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic, clinicopathological, and treatment data were analyzed. Disease-free and overall survival were assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis.
Results:
The mean follow-up period was 45.1 months. Limb-sparing surgery was possible in 86.6% of cases. Surgical margins were wide in 21 patients, marginal in 7, and close or positive in 2 patients who required bed resection. Larger tumor volume (≥ 47 cm3) and shorter preoperative symptom duration (< 6 months) were associated with higher metastasis and recurrence rates during follow-up.
Conclusion:
This single-center experience highlights the rarity and clinical complexity of malignant tumors of the foot and ankle. Although larger tumor size and shorter symptom duration were associated with poorer outcomes, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the small, heterogeneous cohort. Multidisciplinary evaluation and careful surgical planning remain key to achieving optimal oncologic and functional results.
Level Of Evidence:
III.
