Bone Tumours: From Molecular Pathology to Clinical Practice

Since the end of the 1980s, there has been little progress in the treatment of malignant bone tumors. However, the introduction of molecular diagnostics in pathology has led to notable advances in the field of bone tumors, particularly in diagnostics but also in therapy.

Better distinction between individual tumor types (osteoblastoma versus osteosarcoma; fibrous dysplasia versus low-grade central osteosarcoma) became possible, which had a direct impact on therapy decisions and modalities or evolved new therapeutic options (denosumab therapy in giant cell tumors of bone). Malignant tumors, which were previously considered as one group, albeit being a highly heterogeneous group, e.g., undifferentiated small round cell sarcomas of bone and soft tissue, could now be subdivided molecularly and genetically as distinct entities, and initial studies indicate that the therapy for each might also differ. So-called “tumor-like lesions,” which were previously considered reactive, also exhibited genetic aberrations that suggested their classification as true neoplasms (solitary bone cyst, non-ossifying bone fibroma).

The detection of specific targets, which were often based on translocations, enabled targeted therapies (Langerhans cell histiocytosis, Erdheim–Chester disease)

The improvement in imaging methods also resulted in improved surgical options, which were further expanded by advances in radiation therapy (particle and heavy ion therapy).

This Special Issue on bone tumors provides an overview of the latest diagnostic and therapeutic achievements in the field of bone tumors.

Prof. Dr. Carolin Mogler
Prof. Dr. Gernot Jundt
Guest Editors

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• bone tumors
• molecular diagnostics
• soft tissue sarcomas