Surgical Management of Foot and Ankle Tumors: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Foot and ankle tumors are rare entities that pose unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to the complex regional anatomy and critical role in mobility and weight-bearing. Surgical management in this area requires balancing oncologic safety with functional preservation, yet literature remains limited, particularly in low-resource settings.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the demographic distribution, tumor characteristics, surgical interventions, and outcomes of patients with foot and ankle tumors managed at a single tertiary referral center.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive review was conducted of patients undergoing surgical treatment for foot and ankle tumors at Dr. Moewardi General Hospital between January 2022 and April 2025. From an initial 547 patients, 145 were included after excluding incomplete records. Data on demographics, tumor type and location, surgical procedures, complications, and recurrence were collected. Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data.

Results: Of the 145 patients, 57.9% were male and 42.1% were female, with the largest age group being 0–20 years (34.5%). A total of 196 surgical procedures were performed, as some patients underwent multiple interventions. Open biopsy (33.2%) was the most common procedure, followed by core biopsy (20.4%), wide excision (16.8%), amputation (13.8%), marginal excision (8.2%), and curettage (7.7%). These findings reflect the continued importance of biopsy for diagnosis, the application of excisional surgery for localized disease, and the role of amputation in advanced cases.

Conclusion: Foot and ankle tumors predominantly affect younger patients and present complex challenges in balancing oncological control with functional outcomes. Biopsy procedures remain central to diagnosis, while excisional surgeries and, when necessary, amputations serve as definitive management. This study highlights the diversity of surgical strategies employed and underscores the need for continued research to optimize patient care in this rare but significant tumor population.