Local tumour resection in interferon treated osteosarcoma patients

Fifteen patients with primary classical osteosarcoma tumours are presented, all of whom have been operated on with local en bloc resection of the tumour mass in combination with adjuvant treatment with human leucocyte interferon. All patients have at present been followed up for more than fifteen years and half of them have shown no tumour recurrence. One patient committed suicide and eight died of generalized tumour disease. Two patients developed lung metastases five and eight years after primary surgery. This form of treatment, allowing limb preservation, is presented as an alternative to conventional ablative surgery providing that it is reserved for centres with specialized surgical teams.