Abstract
Pathologic fractures secondary to metastatic disease are an increasingly prevalent
problem. Such patients require multidisciplinary collaboration to optimize clinical
outcomes. An established algorithm for clinical, laboratory, and radiographic work-up
will ensure that each patient achieves the best outcome while avoiding catastrophic
complications. Metastatic disease to the region of the knee is less commonly encountered
than in other regions of the body, but it presents unique difficulties that merit
discussion. Part one of this two-part article series will discuss the appropriate
work-up of patients with suspected or impending pathologic fracture of the distal
femur, highlight biopsy principles, address perioperative nonsurgical treatments that
will optimize patient outcomes, and discuss available surgical treatment modalities.
Keywords
metastatic disease - femur - knee - orthopaedic oncology
