Surgical treatment of bone metastases in breast cancer.

Breast cancer is an osteotropic primary tumor. For the patient metastases to the skeleton imply functional restriction with immobility and pain. Unlike other primary carcinomas breast cancer shows a distinctly longer life expectancy after occurrence of skeletal filiae. LOTE even states a mean survival rate of 4 years. Impending or manifest pathologic fractures as well as pain refractory to medication therapy are indications for operative treatment. As a function of the estimated life expectancy, the number and localisation of metastases and possible adjuvant therapy (hormonal or chemotherapy, radiotherapy) the operative procedure must be chosen. Available options are' intramedullary stabilizing procedures, compound osteosynthesis or endoprothetic means. The objective is the restitution of the weight bearing capacity of the affected skeletal region in addition to pain reduction. This leads to early function and mobility and improves the patient's quality of life.