Ugeskrift for laeger
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Nov 2005
[Surgical treatment of skeletal metastases in the pelvis and extremities].
In choosing a surgical treatment for skeletal metastases, an assessment of the individual patient's prognosis fis essential. The aim of surgical treatment is to alleviate pain and maintain function, thus improving the patient's quality of life. We analysed the survival of patients with skeletal metastases who had been surgically treated at the University Hospital in Aarhus from September 1999 to March 2003. ⋯ Most patients with two or three independent negative prognostic factors have an extremely short survival time, whereas patients with no negative prognostic factors may have a good prognosis. Surgical and reconstruction procedures should be chosen to minimise the risk of long-term failure in patients with a good prognosis and be as simple as possible in patients with a poor prognosis.