Blood loss in total spondylectomy for primary spinal bone tumours: a comparison of estimated blood loss versus actual blood loss in a single centre over 10 years.

Background: Total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) is a widely accepted surgical technique for primary spinal bone tumours but is frequently accompanied by substantial peri-operative blood loss. Prior studies have reported estimated blood loss (EBL) can reach up to 3,200 mL. The aim of this study is to estimate the blood loss during TES procedures performed in the last ten years at our tertiary referral centre and compare EBL with actual blood loss (ABL).

Outcomes of soft-tissue sarcoma in nonagenarians.

Aims: Current literature suggests that survival outcomes and local recurrence rates of primary soft-tissue sarcoma diagnosed in the very elderly age range, (over 90 years), are comparable with those in patients diagnosed under the age of 75 years. Our aim is to quantify these outcomes with a view to rationalizing management and follow-up for very elderly patients.

Methods: Retrospective access to our prospectively maintained oncology database yielded a cohort of 48 patients across 23 years with a median follow-up of 12 months (0 to 78) and mean age at diagnosis of 92 years (90 to 99).

A Daily Diagnostic Multidisciplinary Meeting to Reduce Time to Definitive Diagnosis in the Context of Primary Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma.

Background And Objectives: Cancer services are under increasing pressure to deliver waiting time targets. Our service has seen referral numbers increase to over 3000 per annum, with more than 80% coming from secondary care. In order to deliver a responsive service, the department has introduced a daily diagnostic multidisciplinary meeting (DMDT) with the aim being stratification of resources by directing rapid access to clinics and diagnostics to those felt to be at greatest risk of malignancy at the start of the pathway.