HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE COVER ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a letter to the editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Coran, A. G. Articles by Wilson, R. E. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Coran, A. G. Articles by Wilson, R. E.

CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, Vol 19, 245-247, Copyright © 1969 by American Cancer Society

The Management of Pathologic Fractures in Patients With Metastatic Carcinoma of the Breast

During the period January 1954 to January 1968, 31 patients with pathologic fractures of long bones, secondary to metastatic carcinoma of the breast, have been treated. These patients represent 7 percent of all the patients with metastatic carcinoma of the breast seen during the same period of time. Of this group of 31 patients, 20 underwent internal fixation of the fractures. Twelve out of sixteen patients with hip fractures treated by internal fixation and local roentgen ray therapy, and all three patients with femoral shaft fractures treated by insertion of a Küntscher nail, had a satisfactory result. In general, satisfactory results were obtained with fractures of the shaft of the humerus with external fixation, as is true of nonpathologic fractures of the humerus. Few complications were encountered in the operative group, and no deaths were directly attributed to operation. Hormonal therapy appeared to improve the results of internal fixation. Internal fixation, local roentgen ray, and hormonal therapy are advocated as the best combination for the treatment of pathologic fractures of long bones secondary to metastatic carcinoma of the breast.