Limb Sparing Surgery for Sarcomas
Dr. Raphael Pollock: Limb sparing surgery is a surgical approach that makes every effort to remove the tumor in its entirety, even on the microscopic level, while preserving the critical structures needed to have a useful extremity, either for walking or grasping purposes. Frequently this requires the combined services of surgeons such as a surgical oncologist or a general surgeon, vascular surgeons to perform reconstruction, even neurosurgeons who may have a role in helping to free peripheral nerves that might be close to or entrapped in tumors. Likewise, orthopedic surgeons also play a role if the tumor involves skeletal structures, such as joints, where their particular expertise is very, very important. Working as a team, it is frequently possible to accomplish a limb salvage procedure. In fact, at most major centers amputation is only needed in anywhere from 2-3% of patients overall.