Musculoskeletal Cancer Overcome by Our Doctors with Organ Preservation

1 . After fixation of a secondary fracture in Russia, a 40-year-old patient turned to Nairi Medical Center. He was diagnosed with bone plasmacytoma. Following chemotherapy, the patient underwent surgery: the hip joint and the upper third of the femur were removed. The resulting defect was corrected with an endoprosthesis. Thanks to the expertise of Nairi’s team and their professional approach, the patient’s limb was preserved.

2. After examinations in various medical centers, a 17-year-old patient sought treatment at Nairi. Tests revealed tibial osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Following preoperative chemotherapy, an organ-preserving surgery was performed: the knee joint and the upper third of the tibia were removed. The defect was corrected with an endoprosthesis ordered from Europe, allowing the preservation of limb function — walking, running, and more. Postoperatively, the patient received chemotherapy and remains under medical supervision. 

3․ Femoral and hip joint metastasis. A 68-year-old patient was diagnosed with lung cancer. Further examinations revealed solitary bone metastases. After courses of chemotherapy, a radical surgery was performed: the upper third of the femur was removed, and the defect was corrected with a modular endoprosthesis, resulting in stable functional recovery. The patient received postoperative drug therapy and reports feeling well.

4․ Giant cell tumor of the shoulder joint (intermediate tumor with malignant potential). A 14-year-old patient was diagnosed with the lytic form of the tumor, with a pronounced soft tissue component extending into the axillary region and deltoid muscle. Partial bone resection was performed, and the defect was reconstructed using metal-cement spacers. This approach made it possible to later convert and replace the temporary prosthesis with a permanent one, saving valuable time until the final prosthesis was ready.

5․ Femoral chondrosarcoma. A 37-year-old man experienced pain in the thigh, and was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma of the femur. Since this type of tumor is not responsive to chemotherapy, two options were considered: amputation or organ-preserving surgery. The second option was chosen: the tumor was completely removed, and the defect was restored with an endoprosthesis ordered from Europe. As a result, the limb was preserved, and the patient is able to walk. Years have passed since the operation, and the patient is in full health.

All surgeries were performed under the leadership of Dr. Galust Galustyan, PhD, Head of the Onco-Orthopedics and Bone Pathology Service at Nairi Medical Center. According to the doctor, the operations carried out at Nairi are on par with those performed at the world’s leading clinics. This is evidenced by the survival rates and functional outcomes of patients.