Osteosarcoma's genetic landscape painted by genes' mutations.

Purpose: Osteosarcoma (OS) is one of the most common primary bone tumors. Direct pathogenesis remains unknown, however, genes' mutations are proven to participate in the process. This study aimed to examine the most frequently mutated genes in OS to appoint candidates for the cancer markers.

Diagnostic methods for detection of bone metastases.

Skeletal metastases are severe complications in the course of cancer, and they indicate a worse prognosis. The use of modern imaging techniques allows rapid diagnosis of bone metastases. Properly selected diagnostic imaging (scintigraphy, positron emission tomography, whole body MRI) allows us to evaluate the number of metastatic foci in the skeletal system.

[Indications for usage of oncological prostheses in the treatment of proximal femur methastases].

In this paper we present indications for usage of oncological prosthesis in the treatment of metastases in proximal femur. According to our experience, based on clinical material of 78 patients treated between year 1997 and 2007 in Spine Surgery, Onclological Orthopaedics and Taumatology Clinic, University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, the indications are: massive bone loss, second surgery in the same place, damage of articular surface, small possibility of stable union, threatening patological fracture. At the appropriately selected group of patients application of onclological prosthesis lets for restoring the function of the limb, reducing or bearing pain complaints or removing the entire methastasis.

[Surgical treatment of neoplasm metastasis to the spine].

The paper presents the treatment mode of metastasis to the spine. Between 2000 and 2002 5 cases (3 men and 2 women) with metastasis to the lumbar spine were treated surgically. The metastasis derived from primary foci in the prostate (3 cases), in the breast (1 case) and in the kidney (1 case).