Efficacy and safety of apatinib in advanced sarcoma: an open-label, nonrandomized, single-center study of 45 patients.

Sarcoma is a rare tumor with more than 50 histologic subtypes. Patients with advanced sarcoma have a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of apatinib, an oral vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 inhibitor, as salvage treatment for advanced bone and soft tissue sarcomas.

Use of gluteus maximus adipomuscular sliding flaps in the reconstruction of sacral defects after tumor resection.

Background: While performing sacrectomy from a posterior approach enables the en bloc resection of sacral tumors, it can result in deep posterior peritoneal defects and postoperative complications. We investigated whether defect reconstruction with gluteus maximus (GLM) adipomuscular sliding flaps would improve patient outcomes.

Methods: Between February 2007 and February 2012, 48 sacrectomies were performed at He Nan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou City, China.

Epiphysis preserving operations for the treatment of lower limb malignant bone tumors.

Purpose: To assess two epiphyseal sparing procedures for the treatment of lower limb malignant bone tumors.

Methods: Between January 2007 and January 2011, 15 patients, seven males and eight females with a mean age of 11.75 years (range, 7-24), underwent epiphysis preservation operations.

Open vertebroplasty in the treatment of spinal metastatic disease.

Background: Metastatic spine tumors can cause vertebral body (VB) osteolysis, microfractures, and/or compression fractures, and requires restabilization of the VB. Curative or curettage surgery, such as vertebrectomy and reconstruction, is currently the main method of treatment. In certain situations however, such as a patient's poor condition, multi-level involvement, or a limited life expiration, major surgery is not recommended.