Articles | Volume 10, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-571-2025
https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-10-571-2025
Original full-length article
 | 
09 Dec 2025
Original full-length article |  | 09 Dec 2025

Pubic bone osteomyelitis outcomes in patients with malignancies: a case series from an academic cancer center

Alexander M. Lewis, Max Vaynrub, Peter A. Mead, Melanie Betchen, Mini Kamboj, and Anna Kaltsas

Cited articles

Ambrosini, F., Zegna, L., Testino, N., Vecchio, E., Mantica, G., Suardi, N., Zaramella, S., and Terrone, C.: Management of osteomyelitis of the pubic symphysis following urinary fistula in patients with radiation-induced urethral strictures after prostate cancer treatment, Cent. Eur. J. Urol., 75, 284–289, https://doi.org/10.5173/ceju.2022.8, 2022. 
Anele, U. A., Wood, H. M., and Angermeier, K. W.: Management of urosymphyseal fistula and pelvic osteomyelitis: a comprehensive institutional experience and improvements in pain control, Eur. Urol. Focus, 8, 1110–1116, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euf.2021.08.008, 2022. 
Berbari, E. F., Kanj, S. S., Kowalski, T. J., Darouiche, R. O., Widmer, A. F., Schmitt, S. K., Hendershot, E. F., Holtom, P. D., Huddleston, P. M. 3rd, Petermann, G. W., and Osmon, D. R.: Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of native vertebral osteomyelitis in adults, Clin. Infect. Dis., 61, e26–e46, https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/civ482, 2015. 
Burriss, N. and Abualruz, A. R.: Pubosymphyseal urinary fistula following radiation therapy of bladder sarcomatoid tumor, Cureus, 15, e46261, https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.46261, 2023. 
Chen, J., Black, N. R., Lindsey, R. W., and Hagedorn, J. C.: Serial surgical debridement and fixation of chronic pelvis instability secondary to pubic symphysis and sacroiliac osteomyelitis: a case report, J. Orthop. Case Rep., 11, 103–106, 2021. 
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Short summary
Pubic bone osteomyelitis (PBO) is a rare complication with sometimes delayed development in patients who have received radiotherapy or surgery of the pelvic region for cancer treatment. In this single-center case series of patients with cancer, we sought to characterize outcomes of PBO. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 26 patients and found that a combination of surgical debridement plus targeted antibiotic therapy offered the best outcomes. 
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