title: Multiple relapses in high-grade osteosarcoma: when to stop aggressive therapy?
abstract: The prognosis after relapse of high-grade osteosarcoma is poor and complete resection of all tumors is essential for survival. A 6-year old was diagnosed with high-grade osteosarcoma and treated according to the COSS-96 protocol. Within 5 years from initial diagnosis, five osteosarcoma relapses occurred and every time it was possible to achieve complete surgical remission. Additional treatments included chemotherapy and dendritic cell-based cancer immune therapy. Since the end of therapy of the 5th relapse, he is alive for 11½ years. Our experience further supports that aggressive surgery can help to achieve long-term survival even in patients with multiple osteosarcoma relapses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, St. Anna Children's Hospital, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Gevorg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tamamyan
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dominkus
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Diakos
authors.forename: Edda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mittheisz
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Horcher
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Holter
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zoubek
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bielack
authors.forename: Leo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kager
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000379:methods*
keywords: osteosarcoma; pediatric oncology; tumors bone