[Local radiotherapy combined with systemic chemotherapy in 3 children with osteosarcoma of an extremity]

Three boys with osteosarcoma of tibia or femur were locally irradiated with 97.5-100 Gy. Additionally they got chemotherapy according to T4-protocol. After 14-26 month two of them relapsed within, the third below the radiation field. There were no serious side effects of radiotherapy. In spite of amputation and chemotherapy they all developed metastases of lung within 18, 19 or 81 months. Two of them died and one is living with disease. We were not able to cure our three patients by combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Radiotherapy is to date no adequate alternative to radically surgery. Only extraordinary cases should be treated by irradiation.