Osteosarcoma in adults. One institution's experience

Twenty-six patients were referred to the adult sarcoma clinic of the authors' institution between 1979 and 1986. The diagnosis was not confirmed in four patients. The median age of the 22 confirmed patients was 37. Twelve patients had central skeletal primaries; of these 12, seven had metastatic or unresectable disease. Six patients were treated with complete resection of tumor followed by adjuvant chemotherapy; of these six, four remained continuously disease-free at 25+, 29+, 72+, and 75+ months. Eight patients received no adjuvant chemotherapy following complete resection. Four have remained disease-free for more than two years (31, 33, 44, 44+ months); however, only one remains continuously disease-free. Adults tolerated chemotherapy well and should be considered appropriate candidates for adjuvant trials. Many, however, will have advanced-stage, poor-prognosis lesions and require alternative approaches for treatment.