Osteosarcoma of the Extremity Metastatic at Presentation: Results Achieved in 26 Patients Treated with Combined Therapy (Primary Chemotherapy Followed by Simultaneous Resection of the Primary and Metastatic Lesions)

From September 1986 to December 1989, 26 selected patients with high-grade osteosarcoma of the extremities metastatic at presentation were treated with primary chemotherapy (high doses of methotrexate, -cisplatinum and adriamycin) followed by surgery. Twenty-one cases underwent resections of the primary and metastatic tumor at the same time; owing to the disappearance of lung metastases after preoperative chemotherapy in 3 cases, only the primary tumor was operated on. Due to progression of the disease in 2 patients, no surgery was performed. Histologic examination of the resected specimen was performed to evaluate the percentage of necrosis produced by chemotherapy on the primary and metastatic tumor. After surgery, the patients received further chemotherapy with the same drugs used preoperatively plus ifosfamide and VP-16. The histologic response of the primary tumor was good (> 90 % tumor necrosis) in 25 % of the cases; in the resected metastatic nodules, 23 % had good responses. A discrepancy between the histologic response of the primary and secondary tumor was observed in only 15 % of the cases. These results seem to confirm the validity of the strategy (widely used today in the neoadjuvant treatment of non-metastatic osteosarcoma) of changing the postoperative treatment when the histologic response of the primary tumor is poor. At an average follow-up of 3.5 years, only 6 patients remained disease-free; 19 patients relapsed and 1 patient died for adriamycin cardiotoxicity. Of the 19 relapsed patients, 16 died and 3 are still alive but with uncontrolled disease. These results are much worse than those obtained in 144 cases of non-metastatic osteosarcoma of the extremities treated in the same period with the same preoperative chemotherapy (77 % with good response in the primary tumor and 78 % with continues disease-free survival). The data suggest that a very effective neoadjuvant chemotherapy for nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the extremities gives disappointing results in osteosarcoma of the extremities which is metastatic at presentation.

Prognostic Significance of Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase in Osteosarcoma of the Extremity: Experience at Rizzoli on 1421 Patients Treated over the Last 30 Years

Aims

The study evaluated the correlation between pretreatment serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels with the stage of disease and its clinical prognostic value.

Methods

Pretreatment serum LDH of 1421 patients with osteosarcoma of the extremity were assessed to investigate whether the enzyme correlates with the stage of the tumor. In 860 assessable patients with localized disease, treated according to 10 different protocols of adjuvant (four) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (six), we also evaluated the correlation between the serum levels of LDH and outcome.

Results

According to the stage of disease, the rate of high serum level of LDH was significantly higher in 199 patients with metastatic disease at presentation than in 1222 patients with localized disease (36.6% vs 18.8%; P <0.0001). In these patients, the 5-year disease-free survival was 39.5% for patients with high LDH levels and 60% for those with normal values. The 5-year disease-free survival correlated with serum level of LDH at univariate and multivariate analysis, although it lost its significance when histologic response to chemotherapy was also considered in the multivarite analysis.

Conclusions

Serum LDH has a prognostic value and it should be considered in evaluating the results of therapeutic trials of chemotherapy, as well as defining a category of patients at high-risk of relapse to be treated with a more aggressive regimen.

Latissimus Dorsi Pedicled Flap Applications in Shoulder and Chest Wall Reconstructions after Extracompartimental Sarcoma Resections

Aims and background

In sarcomas of shoulder and of chest wall, latissimus dorsi muscle gives the opportunity to solve any plastic problem without recourse to free flaps. The authors report their experience in the use of latissimus dorsi pedicled flap as adjuvant procedure in the surgery of bone and soft tissue sarcoma.

Methods

The latissimus dorsi pedicled flap was used in seventeen patients to reconstruct composite tissue defects after sarcoma resection of the shoulder or of the chest wall. Three groups were recognized. The eight patients of Group I received the flap to close the chest cavity after a multiple rib resection performed to remove a tumor of the chest wall. In Group II four patients had the latissimus dorsi transported to reconstruct the soft tissue coverage over a proximal humerus prosthesis previously appiled after bone tumor resection. The five patients of Group III had the flap performed at the same time of the resection of a tumor arising in the shoulder area (1 bone and 4 soft tissue sarcoma).

Results

Two patients of the Group II presented a recurrent skin failure. A satisfactory coverage without any flap complication was provided in all the other 15 patients (88%).

Conclusions

Latissimus dorsi pedicled flap represents a reliable and effective technique to reconstruct large chest wall or shoulder soft tissue defects.

Osteosarcoma of the Sternum: Two Case Reports

Primary sarcomas of the sternum are infrequent; the most common histological types are chondrosarcoma, plasmacytoma, Ewing's sarcoma and Hodgkin's tumors. Since osteosarcoma of the sternum is a very rare entity, we have thought to explain the principal characteristics and the clinical and therapeutic approach based on our experience of two cases.

Metastatic Patterns in Osteosarcoma

The clinical courses of 193 patients with high-grade, non-metastatic osteosarcoma were reviewed to ascertain the evolution of the natural history of the disease. All patients had the primary lesion in the extremities and were treated at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute between 1976 and 1982 with surgery alone (30 cases) or surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy (163 cases). All patients were regularly followed at our Institute. One hundred and fourteen patients, of which 27 were treated with surgery alone and 87 treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, developed overt metastatic disease. No differences were found concerning the sites of the first relapse which, for approximately 90 % of cases, were lungs in both groups. However, in the group of patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy the development of overt metastatic disease, as compared to non-adjuvant patients, was delayed with time (13 vs 8 months) and the number of metastatic nodules in the lung at first relapse was reduced. This alteration in metastatic pattern due to adjuvant chemotherapy is important because it allows surgical resection of pulmonary metastases in a larger number of patients (51 % vs 29 %).

The role of imaging for the surgeon in primary malignant bone tumors of the chest wall

Primary malignant chest wall tumors are rare. The most frequent primary malignant tumor of the chest wall is chondrosarcoma, less common are primary bone tumors belonging to the Ewing Family Bone Tumors (EFBT), or even rarer are osteosarcomas. They represent a challenging clinical entities for surgeons as the treatment of choice for these neoplasms is surgical resection, excluding EFBT which are normally treated by a multidisciplinary approach. Positive margins after surgical procedure are the principal risk factor of local recurrence, therefore to perform adequate surgery a correct preoperative staging is mandatory. Imaging techniques are used for diagnosis, to determine anatomic site and extension, to perform a guided biopsy, for local and general staging, to evaluate chemotherapy response, to detect the presence of a recurrence. This article will focus on the role of imaging in guiding this often difficult surgery and the different technical possibilities adopted in our department to restore the mechanics of the thoracic cage after wide resections.

Survival in high-grade osteosarcoma: improvement over 21 years at a single institution

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to analyze improvements in overall survival over 21 years (1982-2002), with a 5-year minimum follow-up, in the largest series from a single center ever reported.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All diagnoses of high-grade osteosarcoma were included despite histological varieties, age, site and stage. Of the 1656 cases observed, 198 patients were excluded (41 consultation only, 129 low-grade varieties, and 28 lost to follow-up). Within 1458 included patients, 1032 had characteristics to be enrolled in conventional clinical trials (classic histology, age <41, localized, and extremity disease). Data are also analyzed in subgroups to define patients who benefited most.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 12 years (5-25 years), 754 patients (51.7%) are alive, of whom 613 continuously disease free. Survival at 5, 10, and 15 years is 57%, 52%, and 51%, respectively. Patients candidates for clinical trials have a survival rate of 68%, 64%, and 61%, respectively. Survival for the other patients is 30%, 25%, and 24%, respectively. Trend (joinpoint statistical analysis at real 5-year follow-up) shows a yearly statistically significant improvement of 1.31% (95% confidence interval 0.5% to 2.1%) from 51% for patients treated in 1982 to 68% for those treated in 2002. Patients who statistically benefited were those who relapsed or presented with metastatic disease at diagnosis or had axial tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the lack of new drugs for osteosarcoma, survival has statistically improved, especially for those patients with the worst outcome. Aggressive treatments are recommended for all patients including those with poor prognosis.

Nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the extremity with pathologic fracture at presentationLocal and systemic control by amputation or limb salvage after preoperative chemotherapy

To determine whether a pathologic fracture in osteosarcoma of long bones has prognostic importance, and limb salvage can be safely performed in such cases, we reviewed the surgical treatment and oncologic results in 46 patients with nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the extremity and pathologic fracture at presentation who had been treated in our Institution with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, between 1983 and 1999. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was given according to 6 consecutive protocols. Surgery consisted of limb salvage (34 patients), amputation (11 patients) and rotationplasty (1 patient). The average follow-up was 11 (3-20) years. 28 patients remained continuously disease-free, 17 patients relapsed and 1 died of chemotherapy-related toxicity. Despite the high rate of limb salvage, only 2 local failures occurred, 1 after amputation and 1 after limb salvage. The 5-year disease-free survival and overall survival rates were 59% and 65%, respectively, with no differences between amputated and resected patients. These results are similar to those obtained in 689 contemporary patients having an osteosarcoma without a pathologic fracture treated in our Institution, and using the same protocols for chemotherapy. We conclude that with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, osteosarcoma patients presenting with a pathologic fracture can be surgically treated like those with no fracture, and that limb salvage procedures do not increase the risk of local recurrence or death of these patients.

Survival in high-grade osteosarcoma: Improvement in a 21-year period at a single institution

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Background: After the introduction of pre-operative chemotherapy in the early 1980s, treatment of osteosarcoma had not advantages from new drugs/modalities. Aim of this work is to analyze improvements in overall survival for patients treated over 21 years (1982–2002), with a 5-year minimum follow-up, in the largest series from a single institute ever reported, including all high grade osteosarcomas, despite histology varieties, age, site, and stage. Data are also analyzed in subgroups to define patients who benefited most. Methods: All diagnoses of high grade osteosarcoma were included. Of the 1,656 consecutive cases observed, 198 patients were excluded (41 consultation only, 129 low-grade varieties and 28 lost to follow-up). Within 1,456 included patients, 1,032 had characteristics to be enrolled in conventional clinical trials (classic histology, age < 41, localized and extremity disease). Results: Considering all patients, with a median follow-up of 12 years (5–25 yrs), 754 (51.7%) are alive, 613 continuously disease-free. Survival at 5, 10, and 15 years is 57%, 52%, and 51% respectively. Patients candidates for clinical trials have a survival rate of 68%, 64%, and 61% respectively. Survival for the other patients is 30%, 25%, and 24% respectively. Jointpoint Statistical Analysis at real 5-year follow-up shows a yearly statistically significant improvement in survival of 1.31% (95% CI 0.5–2.1), from 51% for patients treated in 1982 to 68% for those treated in 2002. Within the subgroups, survival statistically improved in patients candidates to protocols, those who relapsed, or presented with metastatic disease at diagnosis, or had axial tumors. Surgery was also analyzed, with a statistical significant increase in the percentage of limb salvage procedures without an increased rate of local recurrences. Conclusions: Despite the lack of new drugs for osteosarcoma, survival has statistically improved, especially for those patients with the worst outcome. Aggressive treatments are therefore recommended for all patients including those with poor prognosis.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

High grade osteosarcoma of the extremities with lung metastases at presentation: treatment with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and simultaneous resection of primary and metastatic lesions

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

Between 1986 and 2001, 162 patients with extremity osteosarcoma and lung metastases at presentation, were treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy, simultaneous resection of primary and, when feasible, secondary lesions followed by chemotherapy.

RESULTS

After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, metastases disappeared in 14 patients, 16 were judged unresectable by both our thoracic surgeons, 132 had primary tumors and lung metastases removed simultaneously. Removal of lung metastases was complete in 123 and incomplete in 9. Histologically lesions were benign in 32 patients. For the 100 patients simultaneously operated with histologically proven lung metastases, 5-year event-free survival (EFS) was 18.9%; 27.4% for the 91 who had a complete resection of pulmonary lesions and entered remission as opposed to none for 9 patients who had incomplete removal of lung nodules. Among these 91, 5-year EFS was significantly higher for patients with monolateral compared to bilateral lesions (27.1% vs. 7.9%, P < 0.02) and when only one to three metastatic nodules were present (40.0% vs. 13.3%, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

These different results, demonstrate that our treatment had a reasonable survival outcome whereas other groups continue to have dismal prognosis. More efforts should be made to improve survival by identifying new active agents or novel approaches with cellular molecular targets.

Adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy for Ewing sarcoma family tumors in patients aged between 40 and 60: report of 35 cases and comparison of results with 586 younger patients treated with the same protocols in the same years

BACKGROUND

The clinical and pathologic features of 46 patients 40 to 60 years old with Ewing sarcoma family tumor (ESFT) diagnosed at the authors' institute between 1972 and 2000 were reviewed.

METHODS

Ten patients with metastatic tumors at presentation went elsewhere for treatment; 35 of 36 remaining cases with localized disease were treated at the authors' institution according to different chemotherapy protocols activated in successive years. In patients with nonmetastatic tumors local treatment was surgery in 9 patients, radiotherapy in 16, and surgery followed by radiotherapy in 10.

RESULTS

At follow-up times ranging from 6 and 34 years (mean, 17.8 years), 15 patients (42.9%) remained continuously disease-free, 19 experienced recurrence, and 1 died of chemotherapy-related toxicity. The 5- and 10-year event-free survivals were 42.9% and 35.2%, respectively, and the 5- and 10-year overall survivals were 46.1% and 42.8%, respectively. Comparing this group of patients with 586 cases of younger patients seen in the same period at Rizzoli, the only difference between the 2 groups was a significantly higher rate of tumors located in the soft tissues with a larger volume in the older group. The results achieved were comparable in the 2 groups, although the older group had a lower chemotherapy dose-intensity and a higher rate of WHO grade 4 hematologic toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with localized disease treated with adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy the results were essentially comparable in the 2 groups. It is concluded that patients 40 years or older with ESFT should be treated in the same way as younger patients and included in treatment trials for these tumors.

Ultrasonography is superior to computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in determining superficial resection margins of malignant chest wall tumors

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze results obtained in 22 patients affected by malignant high-grade chest wall tumors evaluated preoperatively by ultrasonography as well as other imaging techniques.

METHODS

Twenty-two patients with chest wall high-grade sarcomas routinely underwent computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, total body scintigraphy, and ultrasonography. Ultrasonography was always performed by the same person using an ultrasonography system with a 5- to 13-MHz probe and with color Doppler evaluation of the lesion. Scans were done with the patient positioned as during surgery. Tumor lateral margins were identified, and a line was marked at 4 cm. In 8 patients with local recurrence, the presence of micronodules was also studied. Results of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasonography were compared with the surgical specimens.

RESULTS

Histologically, all surgical specimens excised according to ultrasonographic margins showed wide margins. Ultrasonography showed micronodules in 6 of 8 patients with local recurrence; histologically, they were all identified as sarcoma nodules. Ultrasonography failed in particular with cervical-mediastinal vessels.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results confirm that ultrasonography is feasible and reliable in the study of superficial margins and for detection of micronodules of less than 0.5 cm in diameter.

Local recurrence and local control of non-metastatic osteosarcoma of the extremities: A 27-year experience in a single institution

BACKGROUND

Indications and contraindications for limb salvage versus amputation for local treatment of osteosarcoma of the extremity are still controversial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients (1,126) with non-metastatic osteosarcoma of the extremity, treated in a single institution between 1972 and 1999 with different protocols of adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy were evaluated to establish factors that could influence local recurrence (LR) and outcome.

RESULTS

The 5-year event-free survival and overall survival were 55% and 66%. At a follow-up ranging between 5.5 and 32.5 years (mean18.6 years) of the 1,126 evaluated patients, 607 (54%) remained continuously disease-free and 519 relapsed. LR developed in 61 patients (5.4%) after a median time of 2.3 years (0.2-17). For this group of patients the 5-year post-relapse event-free survival and overall survival from the last relapse were, respectively, 11.4% and 16.4%. At the multivariate analyses only surgical margins and histologic response to preoperative treatment resulted to be independent prognostic factors for LR.

CONCLUSION

Considering the risk of LR after surgery with inadequate surgical margins and poor prognosis of LR in osteosarcoma, limb salvage procedures should be performed only when adequate margins surgical margins can be achieved. In case of inadequate margins, an immediate amputation should be considered.

Second malignant neoplasm in patients with osteosarcoma of the extremities treated with adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy

We evaluated the rate of second malignancies in 1205 patients with osteosarcoma of the extremity treated at our Institution with different protocols of adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Twenty-six patients (2.15%) developed a second malignant neoplasm at a median of 7.6 years (1 to 25 y) after primary osteosarcoma treatment. Of these, 2 developed a third cancer which were not considered in the series. Second neoplasms were leukemia (10), breast (7), lung (2), kidney (2), central nervous system cancer (2), soft tissue (1), parotid (1), and colon (1). The rate of second neoplasms was significantly higher in female patients, and the latent period shorter in hematologic tumors compared with solid tumors. Ten of these 26 patients are disease free at a median of 7.7 years (range 1 to 15 y) after the last treatment. The rate of second malignancies observed in the osteosarcoma group was significantly higher than that observed in the control group of 1160 patients with benign tumors treated in the same period at our Institute (2.2% vs. 0.8%, P<0.009). Our study showed that the risk of second neoplasm within 15 years increased and then leveled off and that although secondary solid tumors could be explained as unrelated cases, leukemias seem to be over represented.

Bone metastases in osteosarcoma patients treated with neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy: the Rizzoli experience in 52 patients

INTRODUCTION

There have been no large-scale studies reporting the outcome of patients with osteosarcoma who first relapse with bone metastases, but there have been several case reports describing a much poorer prognosis for these patients than for those who relapse with lung metastases.

METHODS

We compared 52 patients with skeletal metastases as first relapse after neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment for osteosarcoma of the extremity given at our institution between 1972 and 1999 with 371 contemporary patients treated with the same chemotherapy protocols, who first relapsed with lung metastases.

RESULTS

We found that the 52 patients with bone metastases had a higher rate of local recurrences (36% vs. 6%), a lower rate of remission (35% vs. 77%), and lower rates of 5-year event-free survival (11% vs. 27%) and overall survival (13% vs. 31%) (p < 0.01 for all comparisons).

INTERPRETATION

The prognosis of patients who relapse with bone metastases--unless they have a single late-appearing metastasis--is worse than the prognosis of patients who first relapse with lung metastases. There was no difference in outcome between patients with single, resectable and late-appearing skeletal metastases and patients relapsing in the lung.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for radioinduced osteosarcoma of the extremity: The Rizzoli experience in 20 cases

PURPOSE

Evaluate treatment and outcome of 20 patients with radioinduced osteosarcoma (RIO). Because of previous primary tumor treatment, RIO protocols were different from others we used for non-RIO.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1983 and 1998, we treated 20 RIO patients, ages 4-36 years (mean 16 years), with chemotherapy (two cycles before surgery, three postoperatively). The first preoperative cycle consisted of high-dose Methotrexate (HDMTX)/Cisplatinum (CDP)/Adriamycin (ADM) and the second of HDMTX/CDP/Ifosfamide (IFO). The three postoperative treatments were performed with cycles of MTX/CDP; IFO was used as single agent per cycle repeated three times.

RESULTS

Two patients received palliative treatment because their osteosarcoma remained unresectable after preoperative chemotherapy. The remaining 18 patients had surgery (7 amputations, 11 resections); histologic response to preoperative chemotherapy was good in 8 patients, poor in 10. At a mean follow-up of 11 years (range, 7-22 years), 9 patients remained continuously disease-free, 10 died from osteosarcoma and 1 died from a third neoplasm (myeloid acute leukemia). These results are not significantly different from those achieved in 754 patients with conventional osteosarcoma treated in the same period with protocols used for conventional treatment. However, this later group had an 18% 3-year event-free survival after treatment of relapse vs. 0% in the RIO group.

CONCLUSION

Treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy RIO seem to have an outcome that is not significantly different from that of comparable patients with conventional primary high grade osteosarcoma (5-year event-free survival: 40% vs. 60%, p = NS; 5-year overall survival 40% vs. 67%, p < 0.01).

Histologically verified lung metastases in benign giant cell tumours--14 cases from a single institution

From 1975 to 1997, 649 cases of benign giant cell tumours of the bone were treated at the Istituto Rizzoli. Fourteen patients (2.1%) experienced lung metastases after a mean of 35.2 months. The time interval between the diagnosis and the appearance of the lung metastases ranged from 3 months to 11.9 years. Metastasectomy was performed in all patients. Histologically, the metastases were identical to the primary bone lesions. Two patients with unresectable multiple metastases received additional chemotherapy. After a follow-up of 70 months (range: 8.2 to 185 months), all patients are alive. Ten patients showed no evidence of disease, one of these after a second resection of metastases, and four patients presented stable disease with multiple lung metastases. Local recurrence of the bone lesion occurred in seven patients before or simultaneously to the metastases. In contrast to previous reports, we could not detect a predominance of the distal radius, but all of the patients had a stage III tumour according to the Enneking criteria of benign lesions. We conclude that even metastatic benign giant cell tumours have an excellent prognosis after adequate resection. No prognostic factors despite high-grade lesions were detectable.

Late relapse in osteosarcoma

The aim of this study was to identify predictive factors of late relapse in nonmetastatic osteosarcoma patients treated at the Rizzoli Institute from 1983 to 1997. Clinical features of patients who had late (>4 y of follow-up) or earlier recurrence were compared. Late relapse was reported in 24 (3.7%) of the 648 patients who entered the studies. A surgical complete remission was achieved in 19 (79%) patients. The 5-year probability of postrelapse survival was 65% for the complete remission patients (48% in the entire group), which was significantly better than that of the patients (5-year postrelapse survival 20%) with an early relapse. Sex, site, and size of the tumor, histologic subtype, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase serum levels, type of surgery, and histologic response did not significantly differ between patients with late or early relapse. No clinical predictive factors of late relapse were identified and a prolonged follow-up is recommended for all patients.

The role of surgical margins in treatment of Ewing’s sarcoma family tumors: Experience of a single institution with 512 patients treated with adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the importance of surgical margins for local and systemic control of Ewing's sarcoma family tumors (ESFT).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Between 1979 and 1999, 512 patients with ESFTs entered 4 different adjuvant and neoadjuvant studies performed at a single institution. Of these patients, 335 were treated with surgery alone (196) or surgery followed by radiotherapy at doses of 44.8 Gy (139). We compared their outcome with that of the 177 patients who were locally treated by radiotherapy at 60 Gy.

RESULTS

Local control (88.8% vs. 80.2%, p < 0.009) and 5-year disease-free survival (63.8% vs. 47.6%, p < 0.0007) were significantly better in patients treated with surgery and, among them, in those with adequate surgical margins (96.6% vs. 71,7%, p < 0.0008, and 69.6% vs. 46.3%, p < 0.0002). Nonetheless, better results were observed only in extremity tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery is better than radiotherapy in cases of extremity ESFT with achievable adequate surgical margins, and in cases of inadequate surgical margins, adjuvant reduced-dose radiotherapy is ineffective. Therefore, when inadequate margins are expected, patients are better treated with full-dose radiotherapy from the start.

Prognostic factors for osteosarcoma of the extremity treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy: 15-year experience in 789 patients treated at a single institution

BACKGROUND

The evaluation variables influencing systemic and local recurrence and final outcome are extremely important in defining risk-adapted treatments for patients with nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the extremity.

METHODS

A homogeneous group of 789 patients treated at a single institution between March 1983 and March 1999 with different protocols of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, with a minimum followup of 5 years, were retrospectively evaluated in relation to gender, age, serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, tumor site and size of the pathologic fracture, type of surgery, protocol of chemotherapy, surgical margins, and histologic response to preoperative treatment.

RESULTS

The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival rates were 60.1% and 67.5%, respectively. Upon univariate analysis, EFS was significantly related to the age of patients, serum value of alkaline phosphatase, tumor volume, histologic subtype, type of surgery, surgical margins, histologic response to preoperative treatment, and chemotherapy protocol. Local recurrences (4.8%) were significantly correlated with surgical margins. The 5-year post-recurrence EFS survival was 17% and was significantly lower for patients who had a local recurrence and metastases than for those with metastases only. Patients who had a recurrence only in the lung had a post-recurrence survival rate significantly better than others, correlated with the number of metastatic nodules and the length of the disease-free interval.

CONCLUSIONS

Upon multivariate analysis, age < or = 14 years, high serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, tumor volume > 200 mL, a two-drug regimen chemotherapy, inadequate surgical margins, and poor histologic response to treatment maintained independent prognostic values on the outcome of nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the extremities. These factors must be considered when deciding risk-adapted treatments for osteosarcoma patients.

Treatment and outcome of recurrent osteosarcoma: experience at Rizzoli in 235 patients initially treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy

The pattern of relapse, treatment and final outcome of 235 patients with osteosarcoma of the extremity who relapsed after neoadjuvant treatments performed between 1986 and 1998 at a single institution is reported. The 235 relapses were treated by surgery, surgery plus second line chemotherapy, and only second line chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The 5-year post-relapse-event-free-survival (PREFS) was 27.6% and the post-relapse-overall-survival (PROS) 28.7%. All 69 patients who are presently alive and free of disease were treated by surgery, alone or combined with chemotherapy. None of patients treated only by chemotherapy or radiotherapy survived. We conclude that it is possible to obtain prolonged survival and cure in about 1/4 of relapsing osteosarcoma patients with aggressive treatments. The complete removal of the recurrence is essential for outcome, while the role of the association of second-line chemotherapy remains to be defined.

Resection of recurrent pulmonary metastases in patients with osteosarcoma

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection of lung metastases is widely accepted in osteosarcoma patients. Few data exist on treatment of recurrent pulmonary metastases. The authors of the current study retrospectively analyzed patients with osteosarcoma who received surgery for recurrent lung metastases.

METHODS

From 1980 to 2001, 127 metastasectomies were performed on 94 patients. Criteria of eligibility were no metastases beyond the lung, no local recurrence, possibility of achieving complete resection of metastases without causing respiratory insufficiency, acceptable operative risk. Data were statistically elaborated with survival analysis according to Kaplan-Meier method of univariate analysis, life tables and Gehan statistic model, and multivariate analysis using Cox regression test. Results were considered in terms of time from first (DFI1) and second (DFI2) metastasectomy.

RESULTS

Of 94 patients operated upon twice, 59 (62.7%) died. Thirty-five (37.3%) are alive; 31 (32.9%) of these are continuously disease-free. The 3- and 5-year event-free actuarial survival curve from first metastasectomy was 45%, and 38%, respectively, whereas from the second metastasectomy, it was 33% and 32%, respectively. According to a Cox regression model, DFI1 has a risk of death of 0.974 times and DFI2 of 0.972 times for every additional month of survival. In multivariate analysis, Cox regression test showed the best predictive model of local recurrence and number of metastases (P = 0.0014).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors concluded that patients persistently free of the primary osteosarcoma who developed recurrent resectable metastatic disease of the lung should be considered for reoperation a second, third, or fourth time, as these patients had similar DFI curves after five-years.

Adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy for osteosarcoma of the extremities: 27 year experience at Rizzoli Institute, Italy

Around 1148 patients with non-metastatic osteosarcoma of the extremity were treated in a single institution between 1972 and 1999 with 4 different protocol of adjuvant and 7 different protocols of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The rate of limb salvage increased from 20% to 71%. The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 57% and 66%, respectively. The 10-year EFS and OS were 52% and 57%, respectively, and the results significantly correlated with serum alkaline phosphatase levels; the type of chemotherapy (adjuvant vs neoadjuvant); and with histologic response to pre-operative treatment. Aggressive chemotherapy and surgery could cure about the 60% of patients with osteosarcoma of the extremity. However, since local or systemic relapses, myocardiopathies and a second malignancy are possible even 5 or more years since the beginning of treatment, a long-term follow-up is recommended.

Second malignancy in 597 patients with ewing sarcoma of bone treated at a single institution with adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy between 1972 and 1999

The relative risk of second tumors in patients with Ewing sarcoma is controversial, and little is known about their treatment and outcome. The purpose of the current study was to define the incidence and features of second tumors among 597 long-term survivors of nonmetastatic Ewing sarcoma treated with adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or surgery. The authors found that the risk of secondary malignancy after adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatment of Ewing sarcoma is higher than that after other childhood or adolescent cancers only after radiotherapy. Based on this, postoperative radiotherapy should be avoided when surgery with adequate margins is feasible.

Vertebral hemi-resection for bone tumor with wide invasion of the vertebral canal: modified surgical method

The authors describe a variation in the method of vertebral hemi-resection used for the treatment of neoplasms that present a wide invasion of the vertebral canal. This is followed by a review of the literature on the subject.

Surgery for lung metastases in Ewing's sarcoma of bone

The addition of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to local treatment for Ewing's sarcoma of bone (ES) significantly bettered its prognosis. Nonetheless, although with no signs of local recurrence some patients still relapse with lung metastases. These patients are generally treated with non-surgical procedures. The few reports in literature on surgical resection of metachronous pulmonary metastases do not allow any conclusions. This study aims to report the results achieved in 24 Ewing's sarcoma patients who relapsed only with lung metastases, and no local recurrence, treated with surgery at the authors' institution.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for osteosarcoma of the extremity: intensification of preoperative treatment does not increase the rate of good histologic response to the primary tumor or improve the final outcome

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare the results in terms of histologic response to primary chemotherapy of two sequential studies in osteosarcoma patients preoperatively treated with methotrexate, doxorubicin, cisplatin, and ifosfamide, given at different doses.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 1993 and March 1995, 171 patients with osteosarcoma of the extremity were treated according to a protocol of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with preoperative methotrexate, cisplatin, doxorubicin, and ifosfamide. From April 1995 to December 1999, 196 osteosarcoma patients were preoperatively treated with the same drugs at higher doses. Postoperatively, patients received the same treatment in both studies used, but poor responders (tumor necrosis <95%) had more cycles of treatment than good responders.

RESULTS

Comparing the two chemotherapy regimens, there were no significant differences in terms of good histologic response to chemotherapy (69% vs. 62%), 5-year event-free survival (60% vs. 65%), 5-year overall survival (74% vs. 80%), and rate of local recurrence (6% vs. 4%). The 5-year event-free survival was significantly related to the serum level of alkaline phosphatase before treatment (77% for patients with normal values vs. 46% for patients with high values) and the degree of histologic response to preoperative chemotherapy (69% for good responders vs. 54% for poor responders).

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing the doses of preoperative chemotherapy does not improve the rate of good histologic response and survival in osteosarcoma of the extremity. The degree of necrosis induced by preoperative treatment probably reflects an innate sensitivity to chemotherapy, which is not altered by increasing drug doses.

Therapy and survival after recurrence of Ewing’s tumors: the Rizzoli experience in 195 patients treated with adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy from 1979 to 1997

BACKGROUND

Many papers have reported the results achieved with combined therapy for Ewing's tumors, but little is known about the treatment and outcome of those 30-40% of patients who relapse.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a retrospective study, we evaluated 195 patients with Ewing's tumors treated at our institution from 1979 to 1997 with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery or combined therapies after recurrence.

RESULTS

A second complete remission was achieved in only 26 patients (13.3%); 12 relapsed again and died of the tumor. The 5-year post-relapse event-free survival and overall survival were 9.7% and 13.8%, respectively; both of which were significantly better for patients who had relapsed >/=2 years after the beginning of the first treatment (14.3% versus 2.5%; P <0.001) and for patients who relapsed with only lung metastases (14.5% versus 0.9%; P <0.0005). In terms of treatment, patients treated with surgery or radiotherapy, alone or in combination with chemotherapy, had better survival rates than patients treated with chemotherapy alone (15.4% versus 0.9%; P <0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The outcome of Ewing's tumor patients who relapse after combined treatment is very poor. However, these patients may be divided into two groups: those that can be cured with traditional treatments (late relapse and/or only lung metastases), and a second group of patients (early relapses with metastases in lungs and/or other sites) who gain no benefit from traditional therapies. For the latter group, multicenter studies are needed to evaluate new strategies of treatment.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for osteosarcoma of the extremities with metastases at presentation: recent experience at the Rizzoli Institute in 57 patients treated with cisplatin, doxorubicin, and a high dose of methotrexate and ifosfamide

BACKGROUND

Effective adjuvant or neoadjuvant regimens of chemotherapy have dramatically improved the prognosis of patients with high-grade osteosarcoma of the extremity, localized at diagnosis. Currently, little is known about patients with metastatic disease at presentation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From May 1995 to May 2000, 57 patients with osteosarcoma of the extremity, metastatic at presentation, were treated according to the following scheme: primary chemotherapy, restaging, simultaneous resection of primary tumor and metastatic lesions, and maintenance chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients achieved remission. At a follow-up ranging from 2 to 7 years, seven remained continuously free of disease, one died of chemotherapy-related toxicity and 27 patients relapsed. Twenty-one of the 22 patients who never achieved remission died as a result of the tumor, as well as 20 of the 27 who achieved remission but then relapsed. Of the remaining seven relapsing patients, six are alive with uncontrolled disease, while one is alive and free of disease 24 months after the last post-relapse treatment. Two-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 21% and 55%, respectively. These results are significantly poorer than those achieved in 128 contemporary patients with non-metastatic disease at presentation, treated with the same chemotherapy protocol (2-year EFS and OS of 75% and 94%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study confirm that the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma of the extremity, metastatic at presentation, remains poor, despite the use of aggressive treatments.

Sternal reconstruction with synthetic mesh and metallic plates for high grade tumours of the chest wall

OBJECTIVE

To present our experience of reconstruction of the chest wall after sternectomy for high grade tumours.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

University hospital, Italy.

SUBJECTS

18 patients who required sternectomy for high grade tumours.

INTERVENTIONS

After wide resection of the tumour the sternum and chest wall were reconstructed with polypropylene (Marlex) mesh and mouldable titanium plates. Pedicled muscle flaps were used to complete the reconstruction.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Morbidity, mortality, and outcome.

RESULTS

The 18 tumours were chondrosarcomas (n = 7); osteosarcomas, radiation-induced sarcomas, and local recurrences after breast cancer (n = 2 each); and angiosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, liposarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and metastatic renal carcinoma (n = 1 each). One patient died in hospital. Two patients developed wound infections, one required repeated aspirations of a pleural effusion, and one patient later developed loosening of the plate that had been sutured to the clavicular stump. At the time of follow-up (mean 32 months, range 12-74) 16 patients were alive, all of whom had returned to their normal life style.

CONCLUSIONS

The technique is easy to follow and has the advantages of a short hospital stay and good local control. It obviates the need for postoperative mechanical ventilation, and means that patients are not prevented from working because of incapacity.

Current trends in chest wall malignant tumor

Surgery used to treat chest wall sarcomas requires preoperative evaluation in order to document their margins, and to reveal any nodules of recurrence. Because of its considerable sensitivity and specificity ultrasound was associated with routine imaging techniques. The results obtained are useful in defining superficial and lateral tumor margins, but particularly in determining micro-nodules of recurrence which would otherwise go unrecognized. Based on the data obtained using routine methods of diagnosis and ultrasound, we submitted patients to excision that each and every time proved to be wide on histological examination. A particular surgical method was used for reconstruction, involving a polypropylene mesh fixed to one or two mouldable plates. This method exploits the elasticity of polypropylene, which is indispensable for the correct respiratory dynamics of the rib cage, thus avoiding paradoxical or harmful movement. Oncological and functional results were satisfactory.

Postrelapse survival in osteosarcoma of the extremities: prognostic factors for long-term survival

PURPOSE

To identify factors that influence postrelapse survival (PRS) in patients with nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the extremity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred sixty-two patients with recurrent osteosarcoma of the extremity were retrospectively reviewed. The first-line treatment included surgery of the primary lesion and chemotherapy with methotrexate, doxorubicin, cisplatin, and ifosfamide.

RESULTS

The projected 5-year PRS rate was 28%. Patients who had complete surgery of recurrence had a 5-year PRS of 39%, whereas for those who did not have complete surgery, PRS was 0% at 3 years (P <.0001). In the latter group, PRS was not influenced by site of recurrence and relapse-free interval (RFI), although it was influenced (P =.006) by the use of second-line chemotherapy (PRS, 53% at 12 months for patients who received chemotherapy v 12% for those who did not). In patients who had complete surgery, PRS was influenced by site of relapse (5-year PRS, lung 44%, other 19%; P <.06), RFI (5-year PRS at < or = 24 months, 20%; at > 24 months, 60%; P <.0001), and number of lung metastases (5-year PRS, two or fewer nodules, 59%; more than two nodules, 14%; P <.0001) but not by the use of a second-line chemotherapy treatment.

CONCLUSION

RFI, site of metastases, and number of pulmonary nodules are the main prognostic factors for PRS in osteosarcoma. Complete surgery of recurrence is pivotal in the strategy of treatment. Patients with unresectable recurrence benefit from second-line chemotherapy, whereas our data do not support a generalized use of chemotherapy after complete surgery of first recurrence.

Value of P-glycoprotein and clinicopathologic factors as the basis for new treatment strategies in high-grade osteosarcoma of the extremities

PURPOSE

To evaluate the prognostic value of P-glycoprotein and clinicopathologic parameters in a large series of high-grade osteosarcoma (OS) patients treated at the Rizzoli Institute.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

With the use of immunohistochemistry, P-glycoprotein was assessed in 149 patients with primary, nonmetastatic, high-grade OS who were homogeneously treated with chemotherapy protocols based on doxorubicin, high-dose methotrexate, and cisplatin and the addition of ifosfamide in the postoperative phase.

RESULTS

P-glycoprotein positivity was found in 47 of 149 cases (32%) and was significantly associated with a higher incidence of relapse and a worse outcome, as was age younger than 12 years and tumor volume greater then 150 mL at diagnosis. Multivariate analysis further confirmed the prognostic value of these parameters, which all were independent adverse prognostic factors. Event-free survival and proportional hazards regression analyses confirmed that overexpression of P-glycoprotein at clinical onset is the most important adverse prognostic factor for high-grade OS patients treated with these chemotherapy protocols.

CONCLUSION

Increased P-glycoprotein levels, together with tumor volume and age, should be taken into consideration to identify, at time of diagnosis, subgroups of OS patients with a higher risk of recurrence. This subgroup identification will constitute the basis for drawing individualized treatment protocols on the basis of risk evaluation, with the aim of using more aggressive chemotherapy, or combination chemotherapy with other adjuvants, only in those patients for which more aggressive regimens are strictly necessary and warranted.

Giant cell tumor of the rib

A 27-year-old woman with a giant cell tumor of the rib with a cystic-hemorrhagic appearance underwent surgery consisting of en bloc resection and reconstruction of the thoracic wall with Marlex mesh, reinforced with two titanium plates. When possible this type of tumor requires resection, instead of radiotherapy, since the majority of cases of malignant transformation are linked to prior radiation therapy.

Chondrosarcoma of the chest wall: a clinical analysis

PURPOSE

To discuss the management of different histological types of chondrosarcoma (CS) in the chest wall based on our clinical experience.

METHODS

The subjects of this study were 16 patients with CS of the chest wall surgically treated by resection at our institute between September 1981 and August 2000. There were 11 men and 5 women ranging in age from 23 to 74 years. The median follow-up period was 54 months. The tumor was located only in the ribs in ten patients, in the sternum and ribs in three, only in the sternum in two, and in the ribs and spine in one. The surgical margins were wide in 12 patients and marginal in four. Reconstruction using Marlex mesh combined with moldable metal plates was carried out to prevent flail chest in nine patients, resection alone was performed in five patients, and a muscular flap was used in two patients.

RESULTS

The survival rate was 86% after a median follow-up period of 54 months. One operative death (6.2%) occurred, and another required temporary tracheostomy. There were no infections in this series. Oncological outcome was clinically related to surgical margins and recurrence. The postoperative respiratory function test result was 10% less than the preoperative one.

CONCLUSION

This series demonstrated that wide resection is the treatment of choice for chest wall CS and that Marlex mesh combined with metallic mouldable plates is a reliable technique for reconstruction.

High dose ifosfamide in combination with high dose methotrexate, adriamycin and cisplatin in the neoadjuvant treatment of extremity osteosarcoma: preliminary results of an Italian Sarcoma Group/Scandinavian Sarcoma Group pilot study

With the intention of starting an international protocol between Italy and Scandinavia on neoadjuvant treatment of extremity osteosarcoma using the four active drugs at maximum doses (doxorubicin 75 mg/m2 pre-operatively, and 90 mg/m2 post-operatively, cisplatin 120 mg/m2, methotrexate 12 g/m2, and ifosfamide 15 g/m2), a single center (the Rizzoli institute) performed a pilot study to closely monitor toxicity, safety, and tumor necrosis. Only 7 patients (10%) had a reduced number of the scheduled cycles. A total of 1,050 of the expected 1,076 cycles (98%) were administered. Delays and dose reduction were minimal, leading to a mean received dose intensity of 89%. Limb salvage surgery was performed in 59 cases (87%), with 6 amputations and 3 rotation plasties. Chemotherapy-induced necrosis higher than 95% was observed in 38 patients (56%). Eleven patients had total necrosis (16%). At a median follow-up of 60 months (range 50-65 months), 53 patients (73%) were continuously disease-free. Six of the relapsed patients were rescued with further treatments leading to an overall survival of 87%. Hematological toxicity was remarkable despite the use of G-CSF and hospitalization due to febrile neutropenia occurred in 25 patients (37%). Platelet transfusions were required in 77 of the 194 episodes of grade 4 thrombocytopenia, but no case of major bleeding was observed. Red blood cell transfusions were necessary in all patients (in 15 cases perioperatively only). Non-hematological toxicity comprised grade 1-2 nephrotoxicity in 3 cases, CNS toxicity in 2 cases, and dilata- tive cardiopathy leading to heart transplantation in 1 case. In conclusion, the pilot study was feasible in the vast majority of cases with toxicity not superior to that of the previous protocols where chemotherapy was given in lower doses. The rate of limb salvage procedures, event-free survival and overall survival seemed to be higher than in previous protocols. On the basis of this study, in March 1997 the Italian and Scandinavian Sarcoma Groups started a new protocol for osteosarcoma of the extremities.

Chondrosarcoma of the ribs and sternum. Considerations on 20 cases treated

Over the last 20 years at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute in Bologna 20 cases of chondrosarcoma (CS) of the thoracic wall (14 males, 6 females, mean age 49 years) have been submitted to surgery. Localization was costal in 11 cases, costosternal in 3, sternal in 3, costovertebral in 3. The most frequent histological variety was central with 15 observations. All of the cases were treated surgically. Exeresis was wide in 14 cases, marginal in 6. Reconstruction of the thoracic wall took place either by direct suturing or (14 cases) using prosthetic materials (Marlex mesh, 1 or 2 shapeable metal plates). Of the 20 cases treated, 16 patients are still alive (80%) with a mean survival rate of 33.5 months and a mean reduction in the postoperative ventilative index of function of less than 10%. The results obtained lead us to believe that surgical treatment involving wide exeresis is adequate, and the reconstruction method using Marlex mesh and metal plates is reliable.

Osteoid osteoma and osteoblastoma of the sacrum

This retrospective study examined 10 patients with osteoid osteoma and 11 patients with osteoblastoma localized in the sacrococcyx. In the sacrum, the diagnosis was delayed compared to other sites. Curettage through a posterior approach is the treatment of choice. Radiotherapy as well as embolization of feeding arteries may be used for the most aggressive lesions. Prognosis is generally good with a low incidence of local recurrence (<10%).

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for osteosarcoma of the extremity: long-term results of the Rizzoli's 4th protocol

From January 1993 to March 1995, 162 patients with osteosarcoma of extremities were treated according to the IOR/OS-4 protocol. 133 patients had localised disease, while 29 had metastases at diagnosis. These last patients were simultaneously operated upon for their primary and metastatic lesions. Chemotherapy consisted preoperatively of two cycles of high dose methotrexate (HDMTX) and one cycle each of cisplatin (CDP)-doxorubicin (ADM), CDP/ifosfamide (IFO) and IFO/ADM. After surgery, patients were treated with the aforementioned drugs used as single agents. The mean follow-up of all patients was 6.5 years (5.5-8 years). Surgery was a limb salvage in 94% of cases, and the 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 56 and 71% for patients with localised disease, and 17 and 24% for patients with metastases at diagnosis. These results did not differ from those achieved in our previous study (IOR/OS-3) in which IFO was used only postoperatively in poor responders.

Computed tomography of pulmonary metastases from osteosarcoma: the less poor technique. A study of 51 patients with histological correlation

BACKGROUND

The purpose is to evaluate the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in the pulmonary staging of osteosarcoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty-one patients presenting with osteosarcoma and at initial CT considered metastatic to the chest had lung surgery. Two teams of two senior radiologists independently reviewed all CT examinations. Their results were compared to the histological studies.

RESULTS

One hundred nineteen CT's were reviewed. The 2 teams found 247 and 268 nodules on the initial. and 143 and 146 nodules on the preoperative CT. Histological studies confirmed metastatic nodules in 29 patients. Two hundred four nodules were excised and studied. One hundred nine were metastases. The 22 patients without metastases had 53 negative nodules removed. In the 29 patients with metastases, 151 nodules were removed, and 42 were non-metastatic. The positive predictive value was 53% with regard to 'nodules', and 57% with regard to 'patients'. Only 4 out of 13 patients with one nodule at surgery were metastatic, but all patients with more than 7 nodules were metastatic. The 46 cases with several available CT's, showed that no change in the number of nodules was more frequent in benign lesions. Other criteria revealed no significant difference.

CONCLUSION

CT positive predictive value is limited, but as surgery is the only way to cure metastatic patients, CT will still be used as the reference technique until a more specific approach can be found.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with synchronous multifocal osteosarcoma: results in eleven cases

Between January 1995 and December 1999, 11 patients with synchronous multifocal osteosarcoma (SMO) received neoadjuvant treatment with high-dose methotrexate, cisplatinum, Adriamycin, and ifosfamide. After primary chemotherapy in 4 patients who had only two bone localizations, it was possible to treat all tumor foci locally. The remaining patients, with more than three bones involved, were treated surgically only in 3 cases at the primary site, while secondary lesions did not receive any treatment. The final results of our study were disappointing. All patients died of the tumor 6 to 24 months after the beginning of treatment (mean 11.9 months). Nevertheless, the survival time of the 4 patients with locally treated lesions was significantly longer than the one of 7 patients in whom the secondary lesions were not locally treated (18.2 vs 9.1 months; P<0.008). It should be noted that those patients simultaneously operated on two sites, the response to chemotherapy of "primary" and "secondary" lesions was always similar. This homogeneity supports the thesis that in synchronous multifocal osteosarcoma the tumors are not multicentric in origin but represent bone-to-bone metastases from a monocentric tumor.

Use of the trans-abdominal rectus abdominis flap in sacrum surgery

The authors describe the method used to reconstruct the posterior wall of the pelvis using a flap taken from the rectus abdominis muscle after resection of the sacrum to treat neoplasm.

Elastofibroma dorsi

It is often difficult to identify the characteristics of soft-tissue tumors of the chest wall. This paper describes the peculiarities of elastofibroma dorsi, a rare pseudotumor of this site, to exclude many dangerous misconceptions. During the period between 1987 and 1997, we treated nine patients with elastofibroma dorsi. In six patients, the lesion was unilateral and in three it was bilateral. All these lesions were excised and no evidence of local recurrence or shoulder disability was observed at the last clinical evaluation. Elastofibroma dorsi is a rare, slow-growing, pseudotumoral lesion of the soft tissues of the chest wall with a peculiar radiographic and histologic pattern.