From April 1977 to June 1992, 110 cases of malignant bone tumors have been treated in the Department of Orthopaedics of the Navarra University Clinic by limb salvage surgery located al he femur and tibia epiphysis. The mean follow-up period was 6.4 years (1 to 15 years). The histologic diagnosis was osteosarcoma in 48 cases,metastasis in 25 cases, Ewing''s sarcoma in 8 cases and others. The anatomic sites included proximal femur in 42 cases and distal femur or proximal tibia in 56 cases. Allthe patients were treated following the Cancer Protocols of the Navarra University Clinic. At review, the global survival rate was 72%. 5 cases (8%) developed local recurrences and 5% metastatic disease. The most significant complications were infection 6 cases, and failure of the material of osteosynthesis (Knee endoprosthesis) 6 cases. We think that the medical, surgical and rehabilitative advances have allowed limb saving surgery to become the primary method of treatment of bone malignant tumors in young children, being a successful alternative to amputation.

From April 1977 to June 1992, 110 cases of malignant bone tumors have been treated in the Department of Orthopaedics of the Navarra University Clinic by limb salvage surgery located al he femur and tibia epiphysis. The mean follow-up period was 6.4 years (1 to 15 years). The histologic diagnosis was osteosarcoma in 48 cases,metastasis in 25 cases, Ewing''s sarcoma in 8 cases and others. The anatomic sites included proximal femur in 42 cases and distal femur or proximal tibia in 56 cases. Allthe patients were treated following the Cancer Protocols of the Navarra University Clinic. At review, the global survival rate was 72%. 5 cases (8%) developed local recurrences and 5% metastatic disease. The most significant complications were infection 6 cases, and failure of the material of osteosynthesis (Knee endoprosthesis) 6 cases. We think that the medical, surgical and rehabilitative advances have allowed limb saving surgery to become the primary method of treatment of bone malignant tumors in young children, being a successful alternative to amputation.