Osteosarcoma of the maxilla treated with radiation therapy and surgery

Osteosarcoma (osteogenic sarcoma) presumably arises from mesenchyme and is characterized by the production of malignant osteoid by the sarcomatous stroma. When all cases are considered, osteosarcoma occurs more frequently in the younger age group (peak range of 10 to 25 years of age) and commonly involves extremity bones, particularly the lower. Osteogenic sarcoma rarely arises in the maxilla. The usual treatment is radical maxillectomy, postoperative radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Results usually are very poor.A case is presented of a 33-year-old man in whom a diagnosis of osteogenic sarcoma of the maxilla was made eight years previously. The treatment was unusual. Preoperative radiation therapy was accomplished by drilling holes in the tumor and adjacent maxilla into which were implanted high-dose radium needles. This was followed by a left radical maxillectomy. The patient is cured and is without functional deficiencies up to the present time.