The clinic application of microwave heliotherapy combined with prosthesis replacement in malignant bone tumor of limbs

Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the treatment for the intramedullary broad dissemination of the malignant bone tumor of limbs by microwave heliotherapy combined with prosthesis replacement. Methods From June 2001 to April 2012, 19 patients with intramedullary broad dissemination of malignant bone tumor of limbs were treated with microwave heliotherapy combined with prosthesis replacement. There were 12 males and 7 females, 47 years old on the average (ranging from 11 to 65 years). The tumors involved: primary malignant tumor 11 cases, metastases of the scapula 8 cases. Locations of tumors involved: the distal femur 8 cases, the proximal tibia 6 cases, the proximal humerus 3 cases and the proximal femur 2 cases. After the patients were examined with MRI and the level of osteotomy was determined, the prostheses were custom-made. The exposures of the all tumors were via the conventional surgical approach. The lesions were heated at 50℃ for 20 min by 2 450 MHz microwave, with surrounding soft tissue protected by copper mesh. The level of osteotomy was determined by the result of preoperative imaging measurement. The prosthesis was installed after the microwave heliotherapy. Results The duration of surgery was from 60 min to 150 min (100 min on average). The blood loss was from 300 ml to 1200ml (600 ml on average). All patients were followed-up for 10 months to 5 years (2.7 years on average). 1 case with chondrosarcoma relapsed 18 months after surgery, and survived with tumors. 1 case with malignant fibrous histiocytoma died due to multiple metastases 8 months after surgery. 1 case with Ewing sarcoma died due to pulmonary metastases 23 months after surgery. The remaining 7 cases with the primary malignant bone tumors did not recur or transfer during the follow-up period. 6 cases with the metastases died due to metastases 5 to 20 months after surgery. The functions of shoulder joint of 3 proximal humerus tumor patients were restricted, while 16 patient's function weren't restricted. Conclusion The clinical results demonstrated that the microwave heliotherapy combined with prosthesis replacement was an ideal treatment for the intramedullary broad dissemination of the malignant bone tumor of limbs. Key words: Extremities; Bone neoplasms; Microwaves; Arthroplasty, replacement