Chemotherapy in the management of osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma

Sarcomas of bone are rare malignancies diagnosed in fewer than 3000 individuals yearly in the United States. Ewing's sarcoma and most osteosarcoma are high-grade neoplasms and account for approximately one half of bone sarcoma cases. Fewer than 20% of patients presenting with localized Ewing's sarcoma or osteosarcoma are cured with surgery alone. Current management typically involves collaboration among orthopedic oncologists, medical oncologists, musculoskeletal radiologists, sarcoma pathologists, and radiation oncologists. Modern multidisciplinary management of Ewing's sarcoma and osteosarcoma has improved the cure rate of patients with localized disease to more than 50%. Primary chemotherapy for high-grade bone sarcomas often involves intensive, multiagent regimens, and few secondary chemotherapy options are available to treat refractory or relapsed disease. Patient participation in clinical trials of novel therapies for Ewing's sarcoma and osteosarcoma should be strongly encouraged.