The incidence of metastatic bone disease is increasing as patients with cancer living longer. The skeleton is the third most common site for metastasis that originates from primary carcinomas. We evaluated the indications for surgery to prevent pathological fractures and the results obtained in metastases of the diaphyseal long bones. Fifty metastases bone lesion were treated in 48 patients. In all cases an intramedullary nail was inserted. The chance of surviving was 11 moths average (2 days-48 moths). At follow-up, the MSTS average was 25/30 and 27/30 for superior and inferior limb respectively. To minimize disease progression postoperative external-beam irradiation should be considered. There are multiples factors to consider in the treatment of patients with bone metastasic, including comorbidities, the histological characteristics of the primary tumor, the expected life span of the patient, the patient´s activity level and pain.

The incidence of metastatic bone disease is increasing as patients with cancer living longer. The skeleton is the third most common site for metastasis that originates from primary carcinomas. We evaluated the indications for surgery to prevent pathological fractures and the results obtained in metastases of the diaphyseal long bones. Fifty metastases bone lesion were treated in 48 patients. In all cases an intramedullary nail was inserted. The chance of surviving was 11 moths average (2 days-48 moths). At follow-up, the MSTS average was 25/30 and 27/30 for superior and inferior limb respectively. To minimize disease progression postoperative external-beam irradiation should be considered. There are multiples factors to consider in the treatment of patients with bone metastasic, including comorbidities, the histological characteristics of the primary tumor, the expected life span of the patient, the patient´s activity level and pain.