[Metastatic skipping in the bone marrow (skip metastases) in osteosarcoma. Frequency and clinical implications?]

The existence of skip metastases in osteosarcoma, a particular type of spread of this tumor, has been questioned. We have reviewed 229 cases of osteosarcomas and found two instances of skip metastases. In both the histological appearance of the metastatic forms and the primary tumor were identical. Our experience suggests that skip metastases are less frequent than originally proposed by Enneking and we discuss the possible clinical implications of our findings.