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Limb-sparing treatment for osteosarcoma in dogs
S M LaRue1, S J Withrow, B E Powers
1Department of Radiology and Radiation Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|December 15, 1989
Summary
Multimodality limb-sparing surgery offers a viable treatment for canine osteosarcoma, achieving good limb function in most dogs. High tumor necrosis correlates with better local tumor control, though metastasis remains a concern.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Oncology
- Surgical Oncology
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Osteosarcoma is a common bone cancer in dogs, often affecting extremities.
- Limb-sparing surgery aims to preserve limb function while removing tumors.
- Multimodality treatments combining surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are explored for improved outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of three multimodality limb-sparing protocols for canine appendicular osteosarcoma.
- To assess limb function, local tumor control, metastatic disease development, and survival times.
- To identify factors associated with treatment success, such as tumor necrosis.
Main Methods:
- Twenty dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma underwent limb-sparing surgery.
- Pre-operative treatments included intra-arterial (IA) cisplatin, IA cisplatin with irradiation, or intravenous (IV) cisplatin with irradiation.
- Tumor excision was followed by orthopedic reconstruction, often with allografts and bone plating.
Main Results:
- Good to excellent limb function was achieved in 69% of evaluated dogs.
- Local tumor control was achieved in 79% of thoroughly evaluated dogs; 3 experienced recurrence.
- Fifteen dogs developed metastatic disease, with a median time of 8 months post-diagnosis. Tumor necrosis >80% was linked to no recurrence.
Conclusions:
- Multimodality limb-sparing treatment is a viable option for selected dogs with osteosarcoma.
- Forelimb procedures generally resulted in better limb function than hindlimb procedures.
- The optimal sequencing of chemotherapy and radiation relative to tumor excision requires further investigation.