| Abstract: | The Russian Cancer Research Center has experience in diagnosing and treating more than 800 patients with osteosarcoma who have been treated at the Clinic of General Oncology since 1952. Survival rates were no more than 10% before the 1970s when the only treatment was surgical. The use of adjuvant chemotherapy after radical surgery has increased survival up to 45-60%. In 1982 to 1986, a protocol involving intraarterial chemotherapy with adriamycin, 90 mg/m2, radiation therapy in a dose of 40 Gy, preserving surgery, and adjuvant chemotherapy was used to improve local and regional guidance. Survival was 55-60%. The high incidence of purulent complications prompted us to do away with radiation therapy. A protocol of neoadjuvant therapy that implies preoperative intraarterial monotherapy with cisplatin, 120-150 mg/m2, adriamycin, 90 mg/m2 or large-dose methotrexate (8-10 g/m2) was implemented in 1986 to 1998. The best results were achieved only in patients with complete tumor necrosis, among whom survival being over 70%. Preserving surgery following ineffective chemotherapy caused a high incidence of local relapses (30%). The second line of chemotherapy did not greatly improve prognosis when a histological response was slight. Complete tumor necrosis was noted only 10% of more than 150 patients so survival in the whole group was 40%. In 1998, a new protocol was initiated to improve immediate and late outcomes. Preoperatively, 3-4 sessions with adriamycin, 90 mg/m2 and cisplatin, 120 mg/m2, are performed. Postoperatively, 3 or 4 sessions of chemotherapy with the same drugs are made if there is a marked therapeutical pathomorphism. If a response is weak, 6 sessions with ethoposide, 100 mg/m2 and iphosphamide, 1.8 g/m2 during 1-5 days are given. This study has covered just 30 patients. The rate of a full histological responses has increased by 4 times. In every second patient, an amputable tumor could be made a resectable one. The proportion of candidates for preserving surgery has increased up to 90%. Intensified chemotherapy increased the incidence of severe adverse effects, primarily degrees 3-4 hematological toxicity reaching 40%. At the turn of centuries, osteosarcoma is a highly promising curable disease. The survivals of 65-70% and satisfactory functional results can be achieved only at highly specialized centers. |
