title: Osteosarcoma and pulmonary metastases: 15-year experience from a single institution.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The outcome of management in patients with osteosarcoma and pulmonary metastases at a Sydney teaching hospital was reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was undertaken of all patients diagnosed with osteosarcoma and treated by the Bone and Soft Tissue Unit and the Medical Oncology Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital between 1979 and January 1995. Information was collected on demographics, tumour site, tumour histology, primary management including surgery and adjuvant therapy, and the subsequent development and management of pulmonary metastases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 56 patients with localized osteosarcoma was seen. Overall survival and survival following pulmonary metastases was assessed. There were 33 (59%) males and 23 (41%) females, with a median age of 27 years. Survival at 5 years, for patients with non-axial osteosarcoma was 60% (95% CI, 44-77%). Pulmonary metastases without other metastatic disease being apparent, developed in 22 patients, of whom 12 underwent surgical resection. The median disease-free interval of these latter patients was 20 months (95% CI, 8-32 months). Median survival among patients not undergoing surgical resection was 5 months from detection of metastases. Patients undergoing resection of pulmonary metastases had a median survival of 17 months following detection of pulmonary metastases (95% CI, 7-27 months). Actuarial 5-year survival was 16% (95% CI, 0-42%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A small proportion of patients with resectable pulmonary metastases from osteosarcoma achieve long-term disease-free survival following surgical resection. It is not possible to accurately identify these patients prospectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia. pellis@extro.ucc.su.oz.au
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Tattersall
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McCaughan
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stalley
mesh_terms: D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome