[Use of bone cements with added methotrexate for stabilization of pathologic fractures and filling of long bone defects in cases of neoplasm metastasis].

Preliminary results of surgical treatment in 24 patients with pathologic fractures or metastatic long bone defects impending fracture are presented. Fourteen females and 10 males aged 36-72 years with femoral (18 cases), tibial (4 cases) or humeral (2 cases) involvement were followed-up for 6-48 months. In 12 patients the pain ceased or decreased, 3 patients occasionally required non narcotic analgesics, in 9 cases the pain continued. All patients with lower extremity involvement were able to ambulate with an aid of walking sticks, 2 patients with humeral fracture resumed activities of daily living. Nine patients with multiple metastases to the lungs and spine died on average 15 months after surgery. The longest survival rate was found in patients with kidney cancer-19 months, ovary cancer-17 months and breast cancer 15 months. No postoperative complications were found. In 2 patients fracture fixation lost their stability after 8 and 10 weeks due to excessive weight bearing.