Surgical management of malignant bone tumours

The evolution of treatment for osteogenic sarcoma at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is reviewed. The possible control of micrometastases by chemotherapy and the excision of macrometastases at single or multiple thoracotomies by the thoracic surgeon have added greatly to the salvage rate of this tumour. Intensive chemotherapy has made possible en bloc resection of bones involved by tumour, with preservation of the limb. Despite advances, however, amputation or en bloc resection is still necessary to control the primary tumour.