Bone-forming tumors of the upper extremity and Ewing's sarcoma

Imaging Features of Primary Tumors of the Hand

Musculoskeletal tumors of the hand are a rare entity and are divided into skeletal and soft tissue tumors. Either category comprises benign and malignant or even intermediate tumors. Basic radiology allows an optimal resolution of bone and related soft tissue areas, ultrasound and more sophisticated radiologic tools such as scintigraphy, CT and MRI allow a more accurate evaluation of tumor extent. Enchondroma is the most common benign tumor affecting bone, whereas chondrosarcoma is the most commonly represented malignant neoplasm localized to hand bones. In the soft tissues, ganglions are the most common benign tumors and epithelioid sarcoma is the most frequently represented malignant tumor targeting hand soft tissues. The knowledge regarding diagnostic and therapeutic management of these tumors is often deriving from small case series, retrospective studies or even case reports. Evidences from prospective studies or controlled trials are limited and for this lack of clear and supported evidences, data from the medical literature on the topic are controversial, in terms of demographics, clinical presentation, diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. The correct recognition of the specific subtype and extension of the tumor through first line and second line radiology is essential for the surgeon, in order to effectively direct the therapeutic decisions.

Complex Microsurgical Reconstruction After Tumor Resection in the Trunk and Extremities

Reconstruction of soft tissue defects following tumor ablation procedures in the trunk and extremities can challenge the microsurgeon. The goal is not just to provide adequate soft tissue coverage but also to restore form and function and minimize donor site morbidity. Although the principles of the reconstructive ladder still apply in the trunk and extremities, free tissue transfer is used in many cases to optimally restore form and function. Microsurgery has changed the practice in soft tissue tumors, and amputation is less frequently necessary.

Imaging of Upper Limb Tumors and Tumorlike Pathology

Bone and soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon tumors that can occur within the upper extremity as well as elsewhere within the body. However, certain histopathological subtypes have increased affinity for the upper limb and even certain sites within the arm and hand. Other benign masses and tumor mimics, such as infection and traumatic lesions, are more common and imaging appearances can sometimes overlap with malignant lesions making diagnosis difficult. In this article, we explore the current options for imaging of these lesions as well as typical imaging appearances of the more common upper limb tumors.

Complex Microsurgical Reconstruction After Tumor Resection in the Trunk and Extremities

Reconstruction of soft tissue defects following tumor ablation procedures in the trunk and extremities can challenge the microsurgeon. The goal is not just to provide adequate soft tissue coverage but also to restore form and function and minimize donor site morbidity. Although the principles of the reconstructive ladder still apply in the trunk and extremities, free tissue transfer is used in many cases to optimally restore form and function. Microsurgery has changed the practice in soft tissue tumors, and amputation is less frequently necessary.

Ewing's sarcoma of proximal phalanx of the hand with skip metastases to metacarpals

Ewing's sarcoma is the second most common malignant primary bone tumor of childhood and adolescence affecting mainly the diaphysis of long bones and flat bones. This tumor is extraordinarily rare in small bones of the hand and presents as a swelling with atypical radiological features of cystic and lytic lesion with scant periosteal reaction. The common differential diagnosis include osteomyelitis, tuberculosis, enchondroma and benign tumors. Moreover, skip metastasis to adjacent bones is even rarer. The prognosis of this condition is greatly influenced by the presence of metastasis at presentation, further emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis. Multimodality treatment using surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy is currently recommended though no consensus exists. We report a case of Ewing's sarcoma of the little finger proximal phalanx which was initially missed and developed skip metastasis to several metacarpals within 4 months.

Upper extremity considerations for oncologic surgery

It was estimated that more than 3000 people would be diagnosed with a primary bone or joint malignancy and more than 11,000 people would be diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma in 2013. Although primary bone and soft tissue tumors of the upper extremity are infrequent, it is imperative that the clinician be familiar with a systematic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions to prevent inadvertently compromising patient outcome. With advances in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, tumor imaging, and surgical reconstructive options, limb salvage surgery is estimated to be feasible in 95% of extremity bone or soft tissue sarcomas.

Ewing sarcoma of the first metacarpal with a 9-year follow-up: case report

Ewing sarcoma is a primary bone tumor that rarely occurs in the hand. We present a case involving the thumb metacarpal with long-term follow-up. Carpometacarpal and metacarpophalangeal arthrodeses with autograft are relatively simple procedures that stabilized the thumb and preserved satisfactory function.

Solid variant of aneurysmal bone cyst of the hamate

Solid variant of aneurysmal bone cyst is a variant of aneurysmal bone cyst in which the predominant histology is that of the solid material of a cystic aneurysmal bone cyst. In this article, we present a patient with solid variant of aneurysmal bone cyst of the hamate and discuss the differential diagnosis and current treatment for this lesion.

Tumours of the hand

Hand tumours of soft-tissue and bony origin are frequently encountered, and clinicians must be able to distinguish typical benign entities from life-threatening or limb-threatening malignant diseases. In this Review, we present a diagnostic approach to hand tumours and describe selected cancers and their treatments. Soft-tissue tumours include ganglion cysts, giant-cell cancers and fibromas of the tendon sheath, epidermal inclusion cysts, lipomas, vascular lesions, peripheral-nerve tumours, skin cancers, and soft-tissue sarcomas. Bony tumours encompass enchondromas, aneurysmal bone cysts, osteoid osteomas, giant-cell lesions of bone, bone sarcomas, and metastases. We look at rates of recurrence and 5-year survival, and recommendations for adjunct chemotherapy and radiotherapy for malignant lesions.