Orthopedic surgery for management of tumor pain

Benign primary bone tumors, tumor-like lesions, and semimalignant bone tumors with pain are in most cases an indication for surgery with marginal or wide excision. In malignant primary bone tumors, the relief of pain does not have primary importance in the therapeutic concept. With en bloc resection or amputation, the cause of cancer pain is eliminated. Limb salvage procedures can be performed by endoprosthetic replacement, and phantom or stump pain will not occur. Skeletal metastases can be very painful owing to bone destruction, expansive growth, and consecutive pathologic fractures. Orthopedic surgery can relieve pain and improve the quality of life. Endoprosthetic replacement and combined osteosynthesis with PMMA and metallic implants are used to achieve early rehabilitation.