Research
Osteosarcoma presentation stages at a tumour unit in South Africa
Abstract
Methods. Between July 2009 and October 2011, 25 consecutive patients were diagnosed with biopsy-confirmed osteosarcoma. Their records were reviewed and information extracted regarding clinical presentation, histological subtype and stage of disease.
Results. Twenty-four patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Conventional osteosarcoma was the most common histological diagnosis encountered; 16 out of 24 (66.7%) patients had metastases at presentation; 6 of the remaining had advanced local disease with very large tumours or pathological fractures that precluded limb salvage surgery.
Conclusion. The great majority of patients referred to our tumour unit present with locally advanced or metastatic disease, which limits treatment options and adversely affects survival. Increased awareness, a high index of suspicion and appropriate early referral is crucial to enable limb salvage surgery and increase disease-free survival rates.
Authors' affiliations
Nando Ferreira, Tumour, Sepsis and Reconstruction Unit, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Greys Hospital, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg
Leonard Charles Marais, Tumour, Sepsis and Reconstruction Unit, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Greys Hospital, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg
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Article History
Date published: 2012-06-28
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