Fracture-Associated Sarcoma

A fracture-associated sarcoma is a primary tumor of bone that arises at a previous fracture site, presumably secondary to the original trauma or placement of implants to stabilize a fracture. Plate fixation seems most commonly associated with this condition, although tumors have also been reported after intramedullary nailing. Histologically, these tumors most commonly consist of osteogenic sarcomas or osteosarcomas, but undifferentiated sarcomas, fibrosarcomas, and other tumor types have also been reported. Independent of traumatic fractures, implant-associated sarcomas has been reported after total joint replacement or tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. The treatment for fracture-associated sarcomas is similar to spontaneously occurring primary bone sarcomas. Dogs diagnosed with fracture or implant-associated sarcoma are not usually treated because of their poor prognosis. Treatment options for these tumors are the same as for primary bone tumors and include amputation with or without chemotherapy, limb-sparing procedures, or primary stabilization of the fracture in the diseased bone.