One hundred and three studies were included for analysis whereby all studies were non-randomized. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term trend in overall survival for patients with appendicular metastatic bone disease who underwent orthopaedic surgery for treatment within the last 50 years. No significant effect of mid-point study year on 1-year, 2-year, or 3-year survival were found (p=0.83; p=0.62; p=0.60, respectively). An association was not found between tumour severity score or 1-year survival. In general, no improvement was found in the overall survival of these patients over the past 50 years.