-The process of staging bone tumors is complex. The goal of staging is to define the
type of tumor and its extent. Like staging for other neoplasms, it stratefies patients
into groups based on prognosis and established treatment protocols. Staging is a multidisciplinary
effort involving orthopedic oncologists, musculoskeletal radiologists, and orthopedic
pathologists. The diagnosis is often suggested on clinical examination and review
of the radiographs. The biopsy usually confirms the clinical and radiographic impression.
However, biopsy is difficult and leads to errors in diagnosis in nearly 20% of cases.
These errors may make limb salvage impossible and adversely affect survival. For this
reason, staging and especially the biopsy should be done in the institution where
definitive treatment is planned.
Bone tumors - staging - imaging - biopsy
