Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Design Of Patient-Specific Implants To Treat Bone Cancer, Shelby Marks

Honors Theses

Benign and malignant tumors often arise in bone due to metastasizing cancer. Thirty years ago limbs affected by tumors were treated with amputation, now with new technology, limb‐saving surgery is used most of the time; however, these surgical methods have limitations. Research shows a trend of using allografts and metallic implants to fill the bone gap once the tumor is resected. In some cases sections up to one third of the femur can be removed, sometimes disrupting the joint. There are many problems such as the integration and risk of failure in these implants. A more patient specific approach can …