title: Systematic multi-modal treatment of osteosarcoma, with special reference to the role of fast neutron radiotherapy.
abstract: Sixty-one patients with osteosarcoma were treated. Twenty-four of these patients were managed with our systematic multi-modal treatment. Overall survival rate was markedly improved chiefly by intensive systemic chemotherapy with multiple drugs, especially adriamycin and high dose methotrexate. Preoperative regional intra-arterial infusion of anti-tumor drugs and fast neutron radiotherapy were employed and it was suggested that fast neutron had a higher relative biological effectiveness and a greater therapeutic gain factor as compared with X-rays. Fast neutron radiotherapy can play a significant role in the very systematic treatment of osteosarcoma and is specifically useful for preservation of the affected limbs.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D005214:Fast Neutrons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy