Articles

Avoiding ‘whoops’ surgery in primary bone tumours in the spine: An intake protocol for all possibly involved caregivers in a tertiary hospital

BJMO - volume 17, issue 1, january 2023

B. Depreitere MD, PhD, S. Schelfaut MD, F. Sinnaeve MD, H. Wafa MD, M. Lambrecht MD, PhD, M. Christiaens MD, PhD, M. Delforge MD, PhD, F.J. Sherida H. Woei-A-Jin MD, PhD, P. Brys MD, M. Renard MD, R. Sciot MD, PhD, J-F. Daisne MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Primary bone tumours of the spine are relatively rare when compared to metastatic lesions and haematopoietic neoplasms. This often results in misdiagnosis leading to a high incidence of inadvertent intralesional surgery, which is associated in many cases with worse progression-free survival and overall survival. Based on evidence and consensus, a protocol was designed at the University Hospitals Leuven, intended to guide all possibly involved caregivers in different clinical situations. The protocol raises awareness of potentially suspicious situations and provides expert input to avoid unfortunate decisions, even in situations with alarming neurological deficits.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2023;17(1):4–10)

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