When metastases jeopardize stability

Multimodal therapy of tumor patients with osseous metastases is an interdis ciplinary task. The surgical treatment requires optimal integration, in ter ms of timing and extent of the procedure, into the overall treatment plan. In addition to surgery, modern therapeutic approaches include systemic chem otherapeutic, hormonal and immunological therapy, radiotherapy, and other d rug therapy (i.e. biophosphonates). We use classical stabilization methods with plates and bone cement or intramedullary nailing and also new implants with angular stability like an internal fixator and modular endoprothesis systems in operative therapy. Such stabilizing systems allow bridging of tu mor defects in almost all parts of the skeleton. The ultimate goal of any t reatment and especially of operative intervention is a mobile patient with little or no pain and a good quality of life.