Survival trends in osteosarcoma of humerus

Management of osteosarcoma has evolved during the last 50 years. A review of 53 cases of osteosarcoma affecting the humerus included in the Scottish Bone Tumour registry from 1950 to 2000 is presented. Survival trends and the various factors influencing survival during this period are analysed. Patients were chronologically divided into two cohorts, one presenting before 1975 (18 patients) and the other presenting after 1975 (35 patients). The second half of the study period (1975 onwards) was characterized by availability of new treatment modalities like limb salvage and chemotherapy. A distinct improvement in survival was noted during the second half of the study (35% 5 years survival post 1975 vs. 18% pre 1975, P  = 0.007). Survival and metastasis appeared to depend on multiple factors. Chemotherapy in isolation did not significantly affect survival. Limb salvage surgery did not have an adverse effect on survival rates. This improvement in survival could be due to a change in the natural history of the disease along with advances in diagnostics and therapeutics.