[Application of biomaterials in the treatment of osteosarcoma]

Eight patients with osteosarcoma was treated with an endoprosthetic replacement in combination with chemo- and radiotherapy. Among the 8 patients, 5 died because of lung metastasis but no local recurrence was observed. The functional evaluations of the surgical treatment were 3 excellent, 2 good and 2 poor and the device evaluations were: 4 good and 4 fair. For treatment by prosthetic replacement, the distal femur is the best site, while in proximal tibia, there is difficulty in attachment of the patellar ligament. Usually a hingeless prosthesis is better than a hinge type, but if the tumor resection is wide, a hinge type is better because it can give more stability. Among metals used, titanium alloy is better, while among ceramic materials alumina is good the type of material depending on the location and size of tumor resection. New biomaterials are being used more often in the treatment of osteosarcoma and in the future biomaterials will be not only applied in artificial joint but also in the repair or replacement of soft tissue and for various other purposes.