MALIGNANT TUMORS OF FOOT: WHAT ARE THE OUTCOMES?

Abstract

Introduction: We have analyzed the clinical features and outcomes of malignant tumors of foot. Methods: Between January 2010 to January 2017, 21 patients of malignant tumors of calcaneum and talus were treated. These included 14 cases of osteosarcoma, 7 cases of Ewing’s sarcoma. Talus was involved in 8 cases and calcaneum involved in 11 cases. Mean follow-up for all patients was 30 months (range 24–70 months). Results: In osteosarcoma of calcaneum and talus the presenting symptom was local pain in 63% and swelling in 37%. Patients with Ewing’s sarcoma presented with swelling in 100% cases. The mean delay in diagnosis for osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma was 8.8 months (range 6–12 months) and 9.5 months (range 6–12 months), respectively. Patients with delay in diagnoses of more than six months and less than six months had disease free survival of 11.5 months and 15 months, respectively and [Formula: see text] value 0.3. Patients with delay in diagnoses of more than six months and less than six months had metastases in 5 and 1cases, respectively. The mean disease free interval (DFI) for osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma was 16 months and 5.5 months, respectively. The correlation between osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma of calcaneum and foot with delay in diagnosis and DFI did not reach statistical significance ([Formula: see text] value 0.93 and 0.14, respectively). Conclusion: An index of suspicion, proper examination with close scrutiny of the radiographs is required in patients presenting malignant of bones of foot. Osteosarcoma of calcaneum and talus most commonly presented with local pain and Ewing’s sarcoma present with swelling. The time interval between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis (delay in diagnosis) for calcaneum and talus osteosarcoma was similar to Ewing’s sarcoma.