I thank our correspondents for their additional comments from the center for soft tissue sarcoma, GIST, and bone tumors at the Southwest German Tumor Center CCC Tübingen. The comments prompt me to presume that the problem with biopsies is similar everywhere. I thank our correspondents especially for their remarks concerning local anesthesia, which in our understanding does not constitute an adequate measure either. Of particular importance is the remark about pathological fractures, which should always prompt careful preoperative diagnostics. In case of doubt, a biopsy should be undertaken especially in young patients without a prior history of cancer, so as to rule out primary bone sarcoma disease. Premature operative stabilization in such a scenario would have fatal consequences and should be avoided at all cost.
The comments about radiotherapy are well received as helpful but do not touch on the topic of biopsy.
Footnotes
Conflict of interest statement
The authors of both the letter and the reply declare that no conflict of interest exists according to the guidelines of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.