Value of peroperative biopsy in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal tumors.

: In the period 1982-1992 the authors have performed 1276 peroperative biopsies from frozen sections in 607 patients with suspect diagnosis of a musku-loskeletal tumor. In 174 a diagnosis of a primary malignant tumor was established, in 166 of a benigne tumor, in 53 of metastasis, in 104 of a tumor-like lesion, in 33 of an inflamation. In 77 patients (12,6 %) it was not possible to establish peroperatively the diagnosis and it became necessary to wait for the definite histological examination. Gaining a peroperative histological diagnosis makes an immediate start of preoperative chemotherapy in osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma possible. In chondrosarcoma a definite surgical procedure in the same operation becomes possible. Establishing a metastatic lesion leads to indication of a less radical procedure. The examinations were performed in a histological laboratory in the area of operating theatres. Some principles for performing biopsy are given. Key words: peroperative biopsy, muskuloskeletal tumors, early treatment.