Current Concepts of Diagnosis and Treatment of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors

During the past decade, the prognosis of bone and soft tissue tumors has improved considerably. This progress has not only been due to improved therapeutics and diagnostic methods but also due to a team approach now universally adopted. Comparison of results, possible today, were hampered in the past by lack of a clinically relevant staging system and definitive treatment proto­ cols. The complexity of the therapeutic management of bone tumors re­ quires a constant exposure to tumors, highly skilled diagnostic tech­ niques, and specialized expertise. It is therefore not surprising to learn that small and medium-sized hospitals embarking on the diagnosis and treatment of bone and soft tissue tumors are generally less success­ ful than better equipped major centers. This fact has already been recognized by most physicians and surgeons who now refer their patients to specialized oncologic centers. Nevertheless, they all have to know the present state of the art. This symposium was therefore mostly addressed to them. This international symposium, organized by the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Ottawa, and cosponsored by the Association des Chirurgiens Orthopedistes du Quebec, was held in Ottawa from May 12-14, 1983. Each of the 40 presentations clearly demonstrates that disregard for proper staging before initiation of treatment and omission of a clearly defined treatment protocol is definitely unacceptable in view of the knowledge we have acquired.