Prognostic factors for patients with skeletal metastases from carcinoma of the breast.

Aims: Surgical intervention in patients with bone metastases from breast cancer is dependent on the estimated survival of the patient. The purpose of this paper was to identify factors that would predict survival so that specific decisions could be made in terms of surgical (or non-surgical) management.

Methods: The records of 113 consecutive patients (112 women) with metastatic breast cancer were analysed for clinical, radiological, serological and surgical outcomes.

Radiofrequency thermo-ablation of PVNS in the knee: initial results.

Introduction: Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is normally treated by arthroscopic or open surgical excision. We present our initial experience with radiofrequency thermo-ablation (RF ablation) of PVNS located in an inaccessible location in the knee.

Materials: Review of all patients with histologically proven PVNS treated with RF ablation and with at least 2-year follow-up.

Subcutaneous and lung metastases from chondrosarcoma of the thumb.

We present a rare case of metacarpal chondrosarcoma with cutaneous metastases in the ipsilateral upper arm. Chondrosarcomas of the small bones of the hand rarely metastasise unlike chondrosarcomas elsewhere in the body. Excision/ray amputation rather than curettage may be preferable in the treatment of high-grade chondrosarcomas in the hand.

Image guided radiofrequency thermo-ablation therapy of chondroblastomas: should it replace surgery?

Objective: To assess the safety and effectiveness of image-guided radiofrequency ablation (RF ablation) in the treatment of chondroblastomas as an alternative to surgery.

Materials And Methods: Twelve patients with histologically proven chondroblastoma at our institution from 2003 to date. We reviewed the indications, recurrences and complications in patients who underwent RF ablation.

Osteoid osteoma and osteoblastoma: novel histological and immunohistochemical observations as evidence for a single entity.

Aims: Osteoid osteoma and osteoblastoma have, in the past, been variously regarded as both similar and distinct entities. Currently, WHO classifies these tumours separately. We compared archetypal cases to identify novel histomorphological and immunohistochemical features attempting to clarify their mutual relationship.