Successful treatment of a radiation-associated extradural osteosarcoma with chemotherapy in an adolescent girl

Med Pediatr Oncol. 1989;17(6):514-9. doi: 10.1002/mpo.2950170533.

Abstract

Bone sarcomas are the most common second malignant neoplasms in survivors of a malignant solid tumor in childhood. In contrast to de novo tumors, secondary bone cancers are typically associated with a poor prognosis, reflecting both a preponderance of primary sites that preclude complete resection in the flat bones of the axial skeleton, and the tendency for local invasiveness or distant metastasis. We describe a patient who developed malignant extradural osteosarcoma of the temporal bone 6 years after successful treatment for a malignant cerebellar astrocytoma with surgical resection and local irradiation. A complete resection of the sarcoma was not possible; however, she achieved a biopsy-proven complete response after intensive chemotherapy with ifosfamide, followed by cisplatin and doxorubicin. At age 13, she remains free of recurrence 3 years after completing all therapy. In view of the rarity of prolonged disease control after incomplete resection for osteosarcoma, this report suggests the value of intensive combination chemotherapy in achieving a durable unmaintained remission in our patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Astrocytoma / radiotherapy
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / pathology
  • Osteosarcoma / drug therapy*
  • Osteosarcoma / pathology
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects*