Clinical edge: Extremity Sarcomas: Staying out of trouble

Bone and soft tissue tumours present to a wide variety of clinicians. Most are benign, and malignant mesenchymal lesions represent only 1 per cent of all adult cancers. This rarity, and the assumption that musculoskeletal symptoms are benign, predisposes this group of patients to inappropriate early management. Delayed diagnosis and incorrect biopsy continue to result in increased morbidity including amputation and increased mortality. Early recognition, and multidisciplinary management of musculoskeletal tumours improve the likelihood of limb salvage and excellent functional outcomes in the majority of patients.