Limb Preservation in Osteogenic Sarcoma: A Preliminary Report

Optimum treatment for osteogenic sarcoma involves a rapid definitive attack upon the primary tumor and systemic treatment to destroy pulmonary metastases [2, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16]. Traditionally, the first objective is attempted by amputation, although radiation therapy has also been employed [1]. The latter, however, has not met with universal approval since osteogenic sarcoma is generally considered a radioresistant tumor, and retention of an uninhibited source of metastases is contrary to sound principles of cancer management. Not infrequently, tumor growth after irradiation required amputation for palliation [9].