Two patients, both 34 years old, were treated at the Rizzoli-Sicilia Department in Bagheria by a multidisciplinary team of orthopedic oncology surgeons, radiologists, oncologists, anesthetists, biomedical engineers, nurses, and physiotherapists led by Dr. Angelo Toscano, medical director of the Rizzoli-Sicilia General Orthopedics Department, headed by Dr. Jacopo Frugiuele. Both patients had tumor masses located in particular, uncommon areas, which posed significant surgical difficulties. Hence the need to design customized titanium alloy prostheses for both and the use of cutting-edge technologies, with the aim of completely removing the tumor while preserving functionality and mobility. 

The first patient had chondrosarcoma, a primitive malignant skeletal tumor known to be poorly sensitive to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, in two extremely complex sites to treat: the hemibacinus and the fibula. Thanks to careful planning with 3D reconstructions and the execution of two separate interventions, the patient was guaranteed a complete recovery supported by post-intervention physiotherapy activities.

The second patient operated on had osteosarcoma, the most common rare primary bone tumor characterized by high aggressiveness and rapid growth. In this case the tumor mass was located in the right scapula, representing an extreme criticality due to its proximity to vital organs. The team opted for the most complex surgical solution: a resection that, however, allowed all the rotator cuff muscles and their nerves to be spared.
 

“This choice was decisive for our patient, a  teacher and amateur musician, for whom maintaining full shoulder and arm function was essential to being able to continue playing. More common solutions would have resulted in drastic functional loss of the limb," explains Dr. Toscano. "It's a public health system that makes the difference that can help people with such complex cases, particularly in the field of orthopedic oncology, and being able to do so here at our headquarters in Bagheria is of essential importance to us."

“Thanks to the agreement between the Emilia-Romagna Region and the Sicilian Region, the Rizzoli-Sicily Department of Bagheria continues its orthopedic oncology activity, offering superspecialized care to patients who today have the opportunity to seek treatment close to home even when dealing with particularly complex pathologies – specifies Rizzoli General Director Andrea Rossi. – Rizzoli's nature as a research hospital means that our patients' care is constantly evolving, and its focus on orthopedics allows our professionals to address a significant number of cases, even for rare diseases such as osteosarcomas.”