Where are sarcomas most likely to be found?
In the extremities
What are sarcomas?
Malignant tumours fo mesenchymal origin.
What are the origins of sarcomas? (3)
Types of bone sarcoma? (3)
Types of soft tissue sarcoma? (4)
General clinical features of sarcomas? (4)
Assessment of sarcomas?
Imaging of suspicious masses should utilise a combination fo MRI, CT and ultrasound.
Blind biopsy should not be performed prior to imaging and where required should be done in such a way that the biopsy tract can be subsequently included in any resection.
Epidemiology of Ewings sarcoma? (3)
Commonest site of Ewings sarcoma?
Location by femoral diaphysis is commonest site.
Histology of Ewings sarcoma?
Small round tumour.
Management of Ewings sarcoma?
Blood borne metastasis is common and chemotherapy is often combined with surgery.
Pathophysiology of osteosarcoma?
Mesenchymal cells with osteoblastic differentiation.
Epidemiology of osteosarcoma? (4)
Management of osteosarcoma?
Limb preserving surgery may be possible and many patients will receive chemotherapy.
Origins of liposarcoma?
Adipocytes
Epidemiology of liposarcoma? (3)
Pathophysiology of liposarcoma? (3)
Management of liposarcoma?
Usually resistant to radiotherapy, although this is often used in a palliative setting.
Pathology of malignant fibrous histiocytoma?
Tumour with large number of histiocytes.
Also described as undifferentated pleomorphic sarcoma NOS (i.e. cell of origin is not known).
Subtypes of malignant fibrous histocytoma? (4)
Management of malignant fibrous histiocytoma?
Treatment is usually with surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy as this reduces the likelihood of local recurrence.
A 10 year old boy is admitted to the emergency department following a fall. On examination, there is deformity and swelling of the forearm. The ability to flex the fingers of the affected limb is impaired. However, there is no sensory impairment. Imaging confirms a displaced forearm fracture. Which of the nerves listed below is likely to have been affected?
Anterior interosseous nerve.
Forearm fractures may be complicated by neurovascular compromise. The anterior interosseous nerve may be affected. It has no sensory supply, so the defect is motor alone.
Features of the anterior interosseous nerve?
Innervation of the anterior interosseous nerve? (3)
It classically innervates 2.5 muscles:
These muscles are in the deep level of the anterior compartment of the forearm.