Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Malignant lung tumors most commonly metastasize to the bones. Surgical intervention for metastatic bone lesions is aimed at reducing pain syndrome, eliminating a pathological fracture or its threat, restoring limb function, and improving a patient’s functional independence.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the results of surgical treatment in patients with lung cancer bone metastases.

Subjects and methods. This investigation was based on an analysis of the results of diagnosis and surgical treatment in 40 patients with complicated lung cancer bone metastatic lesions, who had been treated in the Orthopedic Oncology Department, P.A. Herzen Moscow Oncology Research Institute in the period from 2006 to 2020. It enrolled patients who had received surgical treatment for metastatic bone lesions complicated by a pathological fracture or its threat, by spinal cord compression and/or severe pain syndrome caused by skeletal tumor changes. The exceptions were patients with bone metastases in the skull, hands, and feet.

RESULTS

After surgical treatment for metastatic bone lesions, 36 (50%) patients were observed to have complete disappearance or a significant reduction of pain syndrome according to the visual analogue scale. After surgery, 35 (87.5%) patients were noted to have an improvement in quality of life according to the Karnofski and ECOG scales whereas 5 (12.5%) patients had no quality of life changes. Postoperative complications were detected in 5 (12.5%) patients.

CONCLUSION

Active surgical tactics in metastatic bone lesions in patients with lung cancer and a favorable cancer prognosis can improve quality of life in the patient.