BackgroundTumor prostheses currently give the best short- and medium-term results for limb-salvage reconstruction procedures in the treatment of bone tumors. However, in developing countries, the cost of a tumor prosthesis is beyond the reach of much of the population. We report the use of autoclaved tumor-bearing bone in 10 patients, as an affordable alternative to the use of prostheses.MethodsThis is a case series of 10 patients (mean age 19 years) with osteosarcoma who were treated at our hospital from 1998 to 2008, and followed up for a mean of 35 months (range 14 to 8). The femur was involved in six cases, the humerus in three cases, and the ulna in one case. The mean length of the autoclaved bone was 150 mm (range 60–210).ResultsBone union occurred in seven patients over an mean duration of 12 months (range 8–17). Three patients had non-union. Two of these had associated implant failure, with one of them also developing chronic infection, and the third is still being followed up. Two other patients had local recurrence.ConclusionThe use of autoclaved tumor grafts provides an inexpensive limb-salvage option without sacrificing appropriate oncologic principles. A painless and stable limb is achievable, and the use of this technique can be further refined.

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Phyllodes tumours are rare entities of fibroepithelial diseases. The exact pathogenesis and their relationship with fibroadenomas are oblivious. Women aged between 35 to 55 years are commonly affected, even younger in Asian population. Triple assessment should be applied as a guide to management in any breast pathology. Clinical appearances are typically diagnostic for phyllodes tumours. Even though sometimes inconclusive, mammography and ultrasonography are the main imaging modalities. Although the role of cytology is debatable, presence of both epithelial and stromal elements supports the diagnosis especially in malignant type. Core biopsy is rather favored in view of higher accuracy for the diagnosis. Accurate preoperative assessment and histologic diagnosis allow correct surgical intervention and subsequent avoidance of reoperation. Surgical management can be either wide excision with more than 1 cm margins or mastectomy without axillary surgery. Local recurrence has been associated with inadequate excision of the pseudopod. Adjuvant radiotherapy is recommended for positive surgical margin and for local control of borderline and malignant phyllodes tumors. The role of chemotherapy and endocrine therapy has not been fully studied.