On Friday 16 August at 14:30, Sarah Stammose Freund defends her PhD dissertation entitled "Tumor megaprosthesis: serum ion levels, functional outcomes, and innovative material evaluation".

Limb-preserving surgery is the primary treatment for bone cancer, and with rising cancer survival rates, there is a growing need for improved functional outcomes and longer-lasting prosthetics. Extensive bone resection disrupts natural tendon-to-bone movement, leading to issues like limping and reduced mobility. Furthermore, potentially toxic metal alloys like cobalt and chromium, commonly used in megaprostheses, can release ions into the body.

The present PhD study has revealed elevated metal ion levels in the blood of patients with metal-on-polyethylene knee megaprostheses within the first year of surgery, particularly in younger, more active patients. Additionally, significant muscle strength deficits were observed in both treated and untreated limbs. A comparison of soft-tissue integration between the presently used Trevira® tube implant and a novel 3D printed titanium implant showed that the latter offered stronger and better soft-tissue adhesion. These findings emphasize the importance of monitoring metal ion levels and enhancing implant designs to improve patient outcomes. The promising results of 3D printed titanium implants offer a hopeful path forward for better functional outcomes and prosthetic longevity in limb-preserving surgery.

The summary is written by the PhD student. 

The defence is public and takes place in Auditorium J116-113, Aarhus University Hospital. Please see the press release for more information. 

Contact

PhD student Sarah Stammose Freund

Mail: sarah.freund@auh.rm.dk

Phone: (+45) 60148360

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