Superior Survival in Treatment of Primary Nonmetastatic Pediatric Osteosarcoma of the Extremity

Ross M. Wilkins MD, John W. Cullen MD, Lorrie Odom MD, Brandt A. Jamroz MD, Patsy McGuire Cullen MS, CPNP, Kyle Fink MD, Sanford D. Peck MD, Sydney L. Stevens MD, Cynthia M. Kelly MD, Anne B. Camozzi BA
New Approaches to the Treatment of Hepatic Malignancies
Volume 10, Issue 5 / June ,

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Abstract

Background: A protocol to treat osteosarcoma of the extremity was developed at two local institutions.

Methods: The study involved a dose-intensified neoadjuvant protocol of intravenous doxorubicin and intra-arterial cisplatin administered repetitively until maximum angiographic response was noted. Definitive surgery was delayed until ≥90% reduction in tumor neovascularity was documented. Prospective assessment of serial arteriograms was highly accurate (94%) in predicting histological response and assisted in surgical planning. After resection, if patients were determined to be good responders (≥90% tumor necrosis), they underwent a 4-month postoperative course with the same agents. Poor responders (<90% necrosis) were treated with alternative agents for 12 months from diagnosis. Forty-seven assessable patients with primary, high-grade, nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the extremity were included in this analysis. The median age was 15 years (range, 7–21 years).

Results: Patients underwent an average of four preoperative intra-arterial courses. Forty-three patients underwent limb-preservation procedures, and 41 had >90% tumor necrosis. With an average follow-up of 92 months (range, 20–178 months), 39 patients were continuously disease free, 3 died of disease, 1 died of other causes, and 4 have no evidence of disease 11 to 51 months after relapse (all pulmonary metastases). There were no local recurrences. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a 10-year overall survival of 92% and an event-free survival of 84%.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates excellent survival with a dose-intensified neoadjuvant protocol. Future endeavors should involve a multi-institutional randomized study comparing this approach with another multiagent intravenous neoadjuvant protocol.

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