Breast cancer is one of the most significant problems in oncology. This pathology is characterized by increased risk of fractures associated with postmenopausal decrease in bone mineral density, use of hormone therapy, and presence of osteolytic metastases in the spine. All these factors can cause non-traumatic spine fractures decreasing patient mobility and leading to permanent pain syndrome and neurologic deficit.

The article presents the modern view on the osteoporosis problem and risk of non-traumatic spine fractures in patients with breast cancer and spine metastases. Literature data on predictors of pathological bone fractures, as well as time and risk of spine metastases in these patients are analyzed. Data of modern studies on the effectiveness of various methods of breast cancer treatment and their combinations, as well as possibilities of minimally invasive surgical interventions, antiresorptive and radiological therapy are considered.

Osteoid osteoma is a rare benign osteogenic bone tumor without malignant potential causing severe night pain relieved by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Pain associated with osteoid osteoma of the spine cannot be treated conservatively and requires surgical approach. Types of surgical treatment include intralesional curettage, marginal resection, or en bloc tumor resection. However, absence of clear intraoperative visualization of the lesion often leads to excessive resection of vertebral structures requiring additional bone reconstruction and fixation with metal structures. In some cases, due to incorrect choice of resection area and segment level, repeat surgeries are performed causing secondary spinal deformations, worsening patient’s condition, and increasing economic expenditures. Currently, minimally invasive methods of transcutaneous treatment of osteoid osteomas such as interstitial laser ablation, cryotherapy, and radiofrequency thermal ablation are becoming more prominent.

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of radiofrequency thermal ablation treatment in patients with osteoid osteoma.

Materials and methods. The prospective study included 12 patients with osteoid osteoma of the spine. Their quality of life was evaluated using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire prior to radiofrequency thermal ablation and 30, 90 and 180 days after. At the first visit and during observation, pain syndrome intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and R.G. Watkins scale for objective evaluation of pain syndrome per number of analgesics administrations.

Results. Follow-up duration varied between 12 and 36 months. In all clinical cases, general, physical, and psychological health improved 2–3-fold. Pain intensity at day 1 after radiofrequency thermal ablation compared to mean pain intensity during the day prior to the procedure was significantly lower (р = 0.05). At the final examination, none of the patients had pain (pain syndrome intensity 0 per VAS); all patients had subjective satisfaction level of 100 %. Analgesics (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol) were administered on request for 8 ± 2.34 days after the procedure.

Conclusion. Based on literature data and our own experience of diagnosis and surgical treatment of osteoid osteoma of the spine, we conclude that in cases of small lesions (<2 cm) in hard to access locations, computed tomography-controlled radiofrequency thermal ablation allows to perform surgical intervention safely, effectively and with minimal number of complications.

Tumors of the chest wall are a heterogenous group of neoplasms per nosology, clinical progression, and treatment methods. Primary tumors of this location, according to some authors, comprise between 1 and 5 %, and 60 % of them are malignant. Tumors of the chest wall can have not only various nosological forms but also varying volume, location, affect different structures of the chest wall which are determined during physical exam. Despite the progress in drug therapy, radical surgical intervention is a prerequisite for successful treatment of patients with malignant tumors of the chest wall. One of the most important prognostic factors is sufficient margin during chest wall resection. The international tumor classification system Tumor, Nodus and Metastasis (TNM) does not give a complete understanding of the volume of lesions and therefore does not allow to correctly plan resection volume and defect reconstruction based on its data.

The article presents a classification of tumor volume of the chest wall proposed by the Sarcoma Research Association which allows to expand indications for surgical treatment and select the optimal type of defect reconstruction.

In intralesional resection of giant cell tumors, local recurrence rate can be as high as 60–65 %. Some authors attribute recurrences to the presence of an extraosseus component and pathologic fractures, others focus on the effectiveness of bone cavity processing. Currently, denosumab is widely used in treatment of giant cell tumors of the bone. Most frequently, it is used in neoadjuvant regimen at dose 120 mg. This regimen allows to decrease the volume of extraosseous tumor component, form bone margins, and, as a result, make radical resection easier. However, the number of publications on increased risk of local tumor recurrence after neoadjuvant denosumab administration has been growing.

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of various denosumab administration regimens in intralesional tumor resection in patients with giant cell tumors of the bones forming the knee joint.

Materials and methods. The prospective study included outcomes of integrated treatment of 65 patients (34 (52.3 %) women and 31 (47.7 %) men) who underwent surgery at the Division of Bone Oncology of the National Scientific Research Center for Traumatology and Orthopedics named after R.R. Vreden due to giant cell tumors of the knee joint between 2017 and 2023. Mean patient age was 37.5 ± 9.79 years (95 % confidence interval 35.11–39.96; range 19–61 years). Mean follow-up duration was 40.2 ± 13.3 months (95 % confidence interval 36.87–43.46; range 18–68 months). To perform comparative analysis, the patients were divided into 2 groups depending on treatment type. The Group 1 (control) included 32 patients who subcutaneously received 120 mg denosumab prior to surgery (4 injections once a week and then once a month; total number of injections was 6 or more) with subsequent intralesional tumor resection, defect reconstruction with cement in combination with external fixation using a lockable condylar plate. The Group 2 (treatment) included 33 patients who underwent the same surgery as patients of Group 1 and then received subcutaneous injections of 120 mg denosumab (1 injection once a month for 3 months after surgery). Classification and analysis of complications were performed using the International Society of Limb Salvage (ISOLS) 2014 system. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score (MSTS) at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results. Mean time of recurrence diagnosis in the Group 1 was 9.1 months, in the Group 2 – 14.3 months. Evaluation of the probability of local tumor recurrence depending on treatment type showed statistically significant differences (p = 0.001). Odds of local recurrence in the Group 2 were 10.6 times lower than in the Group 1, and odds of revision surgical intervention in this patient group was 14.5 times higher (with higher probability, this surgery involved oncological endoprosthesis) (p = 0.011). No statistically significant differences in development of distant metastases and probability of death depending on treatment type were found (p = 0.492). According to the obtained data, there are statistically significant differences in functioning of the knee joint per the MSTS scale in the Groups 1 and 2 at 6 and 12 months (p = 0.021 and p = 0.021, respectively). Functional outcomes were better in the Group 2. No significant differences in knee joint functioning per the MSTS scale at 3 months depending on treatment type were found (p = 0.764).

Conclusion. Administration of denosumab in the postoperative period allows to improve oncological outcomes due to decreased number of local recurrences (2 (6.1 %) cases), maintenance of excellent local control and good functional results, and to decrease the probability of revision surgical intervention to a minimum. In our study, administration of this drug prior to surgery (intralesional tumor resection) significantly increased the risk of local tumor recurrence (p = 0.001).

Verification of pathomorphological diagnosis is a key stage in selection of treatment tactics in patients with neoplasms. Understanding of the nature of pathological process is especially important in context of primary tumors of the bones, soft tissues and metastases as despite active development of diagnostic techniques, they do not allow to obtain full information on histological nature of the tissues, differentiation grade, as well as molecular and genetic characteristics of the tumor. These data are associated with selection of optimal treatment tactics at every stage and disease prognosis. The optimal approach to obtaining histological materials in tumor of the bones and soft tissues are radiologically guided (X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) trephine biopsy or ultra-sound-guided core biopsy.

Aim. To determine information value of trephine and core biopsies of neoplasms of the bones and soft tissues of various locations, identify mistakes during manipulation affecting results of morphological diagnosis.

Materials and methods. Between 2015 and 2023 at the Russian Scientific Center of Roentgenoradiology, 788 patients aged 18–85 years (380 men, 408 women) underwent 602 trephine biopsies and 248 core biopsies (n = 850) of neo-plasms of the soft tissues and bones of various locations. Absence of informational value of morphological study required repeat trephine biopsies in 19 patients, core biopsies in 2 patients, open biopsies in 13 patients.

Results. Informational value of trephine biopsy of the bones was 90.5 % (long bones – 96.8 %, flat bones – 91.6 %, spine bones – 82.1 %), core biopsy of the soft tissues 98.8 %. Sufficient amount of material for immunohistochemical testing was obtained in 89 % biopsies. Interventions in cases of bone neoplasms were performed using CT (computed tomography) navigation; for core biopsies of the soft tissues, ultrasound was used. Absence of informational value in trephine bio psies was caused by insufficient amount of material (48 (7.97 %) cases), retrieval of trephine biopsy from the area of tumor necrosis (4 (0.67 %) cases), incorrect selection of access (4 (0.67 %) cases) and needle type (1 (0.17 %) case).

Conclusion. Results of analysis of trephine and core biopsy data of bone and soft tissue neoplasms showed high information value, which is supported by literature data. This allows to consider these methods of histological material retrieval the “golden standard” of bone and soft tissue tumor diagnosis.

Quality of life of patients with orthopedic oncological pathology is one of the most important indicators of therapy and rehabilitation effectiveness, a parameter important for establishment of comprehensive approach involving teamwork from doctors and psychologists. Currently, there are many instruments for quality of life evaluation in patients with various chronic diseases including oncological but a specialized questionnaire for patients with pelvic bone tumors does not exist. Nonetheless, characteristics of quality of life of patients with this pathology should be considered for optimal management of psychological and rehabilitation measures, and their dynamics can serve as criteria of treatment and rehabilitation effectiveness.

Aim. To develop and test a quality of life questionnaire for patients who underwent surgery on the pelvic bones.

Materials and methods. The Quality of Life Questionnaire Pelvic Bone Tumor – 30 (QLQ PBT-30) was developed and tested in 37 patients with tumors of the pelvic bones (20 (54.1 %) males and 17 (45.9 %) females) who were under-going treatment at the General Oncology Division of the N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology. Mean patient age was 48.15 ± 8.95 years.

Results. Psychometric characteristics of the QLQ PBT-30 (validity, reliability) are quite high. Factor analysis confirms correspondence of the factor structure of the questionnaire to the proposed key. Every question contributes to the method structure confirmed by high values of Cronbach’s α.

Conclusion. Specialized questionnaire for patients who underwent surgical treatment on pelvic bones can be recommended for use in orthopedic oncology practice for more accurate evaluation of quality of life of patients with tumors of the pelvic bones.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in cutaneous melanoma is a staging step in cases of unaffected regional lymph nodes. This method is included in routine practice in many medical facilities of the Russian Federation.

Aim. To analyze the results of SLNB in cutaneous melanoma performed using gamma scintigraphy technique with the 99mTc-containing technefit radiopharmaceutical agent.

Materials and methods. The prospective study included 97 patients (39.2 % (38/97) men and 60.8 % (59/97) women) with primary cutaneous melanoma who received surgical treatment at the Republican Clinical Oncological Dispensary (Ufa) between February of 2021 and January of 2023. Mean patient age was 57.2 ± 13.2 years (95 % confidence interval (CI) 53.8–61.3 years), mean Breslow thickness per biopsy and histological examination after wide tumor resection was 2.89 ± 2.7 mm (95 % CI 2.2–3.76 mm), median follow-up period was 14 months (interquartile range 8–18 months). 99mTc-containing technefit radiopharmaceutical agent was administered intradermally around melanoma/scar. Accumulation of the radiopharmaceutical in the regional lymph nodes was evaluated using single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT). Intraoperatively the sentinel lymph node (SLN) was identified using a portable gamma probe. Morphological evaluation was performed in accordance with the protocol approved at the Republican Clinical Oncological Dispensary and based on the updated protocol of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTС) (2019).

Results. The percentage of successfully mapped SLNs after radiopharmaceutical administration was 93.8 % (91/97). Mean number of visualized SLNs per SPECT/CT data was 1.7 ± 1.1 SLN (95 % CI 1.5–1.9). SLN biopsy was performed in 91.8 % (89/97) patients. Mean number of identified SLNs during SLNB was 1.9 ± 1.2 (95 % CI 1.6–2.3). Histological and immunohistochemical examinations showed SLN metastases in 22.5 % (20/89) patients; in 77.5 % (69/89) patients, no lymph node metastases were found. SLN biopsy allowed to perform disease staging. During follow-up in 3 patients with negative SLNs metastases in the regional lymph nodes were found, as well as in 2 patients with positive SLNs. The frequency of false negative SLNB results was 13 % (3/23), negative post-test probability was 2.8 % (2/69). V600E mutation in the BRAF gene was found in 42.3 % (22/52) patients.

Conclusion. SLN biopsy using the technefit radiopharmaceutical showed satisfactory results: SLNs were identified in 93.8 % of cases. Morphological examination showed SLN metastases in 22.5 % (20/89) of patients.

The article presents a clinical case of successful surgical treatment of primary chondrosarcoma of the right ilium affecting the acetabulum and hip joint with acetabulum endoprosthesis. Rehabilitation measures aimed at restoration of the affected limb function are also described. After these measures, the patient demonstrated excellent functional results (93.3 % per the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score). Recurrence-free period was 49 months. In modern orthopedic oncology, many techniques of organ-preserving surgical treatment in patients with tumors of the periacetabular area with subsequent reconstruction are used but they are technically complex and carry high risks of postoperative complications. In our opinion, only combination of surgical techniques with interdisciplinary approach during perioperative rehabilitation allows to achieve good and even excellent functional results which is confirmed by the presented clinical case.

Skin cancer from sebaceous glands is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor developing from skin appendages. The etiology of this tumor is still unclear and requires further investigation. Furthermore, strict guidelines on management of patients with this pathology have not been formulated. The article presents a clinical case of diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer from sebaceous glands.