Objective To investigate early clinical manifestations of osteogenic sarcoma to help establishment of an early diagnosis of the disease.Methods A total of 92 patients with osteogenic sarcoma in the extremities were admitted to our hospital from April 1984 to October 2002. Of the 92 patients, 71 (42 males and 29 females; averaged age 17.4 years, range 666 years; illness course 1-28 weeks) had a complete record of their medical history and examination. From their first medical visits, we obtained their clinical symptoms, physical sings, diagnoses, and duration of the delayed diagnoses. The patients were pathologically confirmed as having osteogenic sarcoma in the extremities, with the lesions located in the distal femur in 38 patients, proximal tibia in 22, proximal femur in 3, proximal fibula in 3, proximal humerus in 2, distal tibia in 2, and distalradius in 1. Results Of the 71 patients, 70 had a local pain and/or a palpable mass, 37 had a persistent pain with no difference between day and night, 23 had an intermittent pain, and 11 had a nocturnal pain. Of the 71 patients, 42 had an initial pain related to trauma, and 3 of the 42 patients had a pathologic fracture. The patients with the local mass had a delayed diagnosis of osteogenic sarcoma with a delayed duration of 1-14 weeks, averaged 4 weeks; however, the patients without the local mass had a delayed diagnosis of this disease, with a delayed duration of 3-30 weeks averaged 14 weeks. In the patients undergoing an X-ray examination at the first medical visit, the duration of the delayed diagnoses was 1-20 weeks, averaged 8 weeks, but in the patients without an X-ray examination at first, the duration was 4-30 weeks, averaged 16 weeks. Conclusion Intermittent and persistent pains and local masses are the most characteristic clinical manifestations in the early stage of osteogenic sarcoma. A history of trauma often helps to make a diagnosis of the disease. Carefulclinical examination and observation should be given to adolescent patients whohave a recurrent pain around the joint.
As the most common primary malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents, osteosarcoma has the characteristics of high malignancy, easy metastasis and poor prognosis. The recurrence, metastasis and multi-drug resistance of osteosarcoma are the main problems that limit the therapeutic effect and survival rate of osteosarcoma. Among them, lung metastasis is often the main target organ for distant metastasis of osteosarcoma. In recent years, people have paid attention to the signaling pathway of the occurrence and development of osteosarcoma and made in-depth studies on its mechanism. A variety of relevant signaling pathways have been constantly clarified. At present, there is still a lack of systematic and multi-directional exploration and summary on the signaling pathway related to the pulmonary metastasis of osteosarcoma. This paper explores the new direction of targeted therapy for osteosarcoma by elucidating the relationship between the signaling pathway associated with osteosarcoma and the pulmonary metastasis of osteosarcoma.
Abstract：Pulmonary metastasectomy is an important curative option for patients with osteogenic and softtissue sarcoma spread to the lungs. Complete surgical removal of pulmonary metastases can improve survival and is recommended under certain criteria. Specific issues that require consideration when planning pulmonary metastasectomy include: preoperative assessment of the operation index and contraindications, choice of surgical strategies, pulmonary parenchymal preservation, and the role of lymphadenectomy. With the development of iconography and chemotherapy, the emergence of targeted drugs, and the innovation of radiotherapy, the concept of the diagnosis and treatment for pulmonary metastases from osteogenic and softtissue sarcoma is also undergoing great changes.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of proximal tibial hemiprosthesis replacement in the first stage and prosthesis revision in the second stage in reducing the risk of length discrepancy of limbs in children with proximal tibial osteosarcoma.MethodsBetween 2009 and 2013, 3 children with conventional osteosarcoma at the proximal tibia (stage ⅡB) were treated. There were 2 boys and 1 girl. They were 12, 13, and 13 years old, respectively. After 4 courses of preoperative chemotherapy, the proximal tumor segmental resection and proximal tibial hemiprosthesis replacement were performed. Then the patients underwent prosthetic revision in the second stage when they were 20, 17, and 17 years old, respectively.ResultsAll patients successfully completed two stages of operations. The length discrepancy of lower limb after the second stage operation were 19, 7, and 21 mm, respectively. Three patients were followed up 13, 3, and 27 months after the second stage operation, and the lower extremities functions were satisfactory. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score was 26, 27, and 25, respectively.ConclusionThe proximal tibial hemiprosthesis replacement in the first stage combined with prosthesis revision in the second stage for treating the proximal tibia osteosarcoma in children can keep the distal femur growth ability, reduce the length discreapancy of lower limb, and obtain satisfactory stability and good function.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of rotationplasty in treating osteosarcoma of distal femur in children.MethodsA clinical data of 10 children with osteosarcoma of distal femur treated with rotationplasty between March 2014 and June 2016 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 7 boys and 3 girls with an average age of 6.7 years (range, 4-10 years). There were 4 cases of osteoblastic osteosarcoma, 4 cases of mixed osteosarcoma, and 2 cases of chondroblastic osteosarcoma. All children were staged as Enneking stage ⅡB. The disease duration ranged from 3.5 to 6.0 months (mean, 4.6 months). The lower limb functional scoring system of 1993 Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS93), Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS), and knee mobility were used to evaluate postoperative function. Tumor recurrence and metastases were monitored by radiograph.ResultsPoor superficial incision healing occurred in 1 patient, and healed after dressing change. The other incisions healed by first intention. All children were followed up 24-72 months (mean, 52.6 months). No local recurrence was observed during follow-up. Three of the ten patients suffered from metastases including 1 dying of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, 1 alive with tumor, and 1 tumor free survival. Painful callosities and ulcers which related to prosthetic wear occurred in 2 patients and turned up after optimizing prosthetic fit and physiotherapy. The fracture healing time was 2.5-5.0 months (mean, 3.5 months). All children could walk independently at 4 months postoperatively. At last follow-up, the MSTS93 score was 19-25 (mean, 22) and the TESS score was 87-93 (mean, 90). The extension of knee joint mobility with artificial limbs was 0°-10° (mean, 5°), and the flexion of knee joint mobility with artificial limbs was 85°-95° (mean, 90.5°).ConclusionRotationplasty in treating osteosarcoma of distal femur in children with limb salvage difficulties can effectively preserve the limb function and improve the quality of life, and it can be used as an alternative to amputation.
Objective To design, construct and select the optimal repl ication-defective recombinant adenovirus mediated short hairpin RNA (shRNA) which is transduced into human osteosarcoma cells to silence c-myc gene expression, and to construct the recombinant adenovirus vector expressing c-myc-shRNA and determine its viral titer. Methods Three pairs of complementary single-stranded ol igonucleotides (ss ol igos) were designed and synthesized, and then they were annealed to create a double-stranded ol igonucleotide (ds ol igos).The ds ol igos were cloned into pENTR/U6 vector to produce the shuttle plasmid pENTR/U6-shRNA, which was transduced into osteosarcoma cells by l iposome after sequencing. The plasmid with good silence effect was chosen by RT-PCR to perform the LR recombination reaction to the adenovirus backbone plasmid. The expression clone was transfected into HEK293A cells to produce repl ication-incompetent recombinant adenovirus mediated shRNA against c-myc whose cytopathic effect was observed and viral titer was determined by the viral particle (VP) method and 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID50). Results Ds ol igos, which was verified by electrophoresis, was cloned into pENTR/U6 vector to produce pENTR/U6-shRNA shuttle plasmid, which was confirmed to be corrected by sequencing. The optimal plasmid with good silence effect was chosen by RT-PCR from the three pairs of double-stranded ol igonucleotide. By Pac I enzyme, the l inearrization repl ication-defective recombinant adenovirus mediated shRNA was constructed to perform the LR recombination reaction to the adenovirus backbone plasmid. The cytopathic effect and vacuole phenomenon of adenovirus mediated shRNA appeared at 3 days and became obvious at 6 days. The adenovirus virus titer in the first generation was 5.23 × 109 VP/mL, and reached 2.26 × 1012 VP/mL via 3-4 generations’ ampl ification. The viral titer was 10-3.8/0.1 mL determined by VP method and TCID50. Conclusion The recombinant adenovirus mediated shRNA c-myc is constructed in vitro through RNA interference technology.
Objective To review the research progress of the treatment of osteosarcoma, and to thoroughly understand its current state of research and prospect so as to lay a sol id foundation for the cl inical treatment. Methods The cl inical and experimental research l iteratures about treatment of osteosarcoma were extensively reviewed and analyzed. Results The present treatment of osteosarcoma is still need to comprehensive therapy which combine chemotherapy and surgical treatment. There are some progresses in gene therapy and molecular targeting therapy which can improve survival rate. Furthermore, well-designed studies and cl inical trials are needed to evaluate the potential therapeutic impact before they are used in cl inical. Conclusion Advancement in chemotherapeutic regimens has improved survival and l imb-sparing surgery in the treatment of osteosarcoma, but the progress of gene therapy and molecular targeting therapy gives new hope for osteosarcoma patients.
Objective To investigate the effect of limb salvage on treating osteosarcoma with pathological fracture. Methods From October 2002 to January 2003, 2 cases of osteosarcoma with pathological fracture were treated by limb salvage. Intraarterial chemotherapy was given by subcutaneous implantable delivery system with caffeine. Replacement with prosthesis was performed after 5 times of chemotherapy. Results Two patients were followed up for twenty-four months and 21 months respectively. No infection, aseptic loosening, local recurrence or metastasis occurred, and function recovery of joints was satisfactory. Conclusion Limb salvage can be considered in condition that primary osteosarcoma with pathological fracture can be treated by effective and comprehensive chemotherapy.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of artificial hemi-knee prosthesis reconstruction for bone defects after resection of pediatric osteosarcoma. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 18 children with osteosarcoma who met the selection criteria and were treated between January 2016 and December 2019. There were 11 males and 7 females, aged 6-10 years (mean, 8.9 years). Osteosarcoma located in the distal femur in 11 cases and the proximal tibia in 7 cases. Among them, 12 cases were conventional osteosarcoma and 6 cases were small cell osteosarcoma, with a disease duration of 1-9 months (mean, 3.1 months). All patients received 2 cycles of preoperative chemotherapy with doxorubicin, cisplatin, and ifosfamide. After en bloc tumor segment resection, bone defects were reconstructed using custom-made artificial hemi-knee prostheses. Rehabilitation training was initiated at 8 weeks postoperatively under the protection of a knee immobilizer brace, combined with 4 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. During follow-up, lower limb growth length and limb shortening (compared with the healthy side) were measured, and limb function was evaluated using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society-93 (MSTS-93) scoring system. Results All surgeries were successfully completed, with an operation time of 2.0-3.1 hours (mean, 2.4 hours) and intraoperative blood loss of 180-320 mL (mean, 230.0 mL). Incisional edge necrosis occurred in 1 case at 10 days postoperatively, while the incisions of the remaining 17 patients healed by first intention. One case developed periprosthetic infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus at 1 week postoperatively, which was cured after symptomatic treatment. All 18 patients were followed up 60-96 months (mean, 74.2 months). No local tumor recurrence was observed during follow-up. Imaging examinations showed prosthesis loosening in 2 cases, while the prosthesis of other patients were well-positioned. At last follow-up, the knee joint range of motion was 80°-120° (mean, 106.7°). The MSTS-93 score was 16-29 (mean, 24.7), with 12 cases rated as excellent, 5 good, and 1 fair. The patients’ height increased by 12.8-20.0 cm (mean, 15.5 cm), the lower limb growth length was 6.0-13.0 cm (mean, 9.7 cm), and limb shortening was 1.8-4.6 cm (mean, 3.1 cm). There was no significant difference in MSTS-93 scores, lower limb growth length, or limb shortening between the distal femur group and the proximal tibia group (P>0.05). Conclusion Artificial hemi-knee prosthesis reconstruction can preserve the adjacent normal epiphysis of the knee joint, maximize limb growth potential, and reduce adult limb length discrepancy, making it a suitable reconstruction option for children with knee osteosarcoma.
Objective To investigate the feasibility of the preservation of the epiphysis and joint function of the distal femur in children with osteosarcoma with epiphyseal distraction by external fixator. Methods Between July 2007 and May 2011, 6 children with osteoblastic osteosarcoma of the distal femur underwent epiphyseal distraction by external fixator, combined with tumor resection and repair with massive allograft bone transplantation to preserve the epiphysis and joint function of the distal femur. There were 4 boys and 2 girls, aged from 9 to 14 years (mean, 10.5 years). According to Enneking clinical staging, 4 cases were in stage II A and 2 cases in stage II B. According to San-Julian et al. typing for metaphyseal tumor invasion, 3 cases were in type I and 3 cases in type II. The size of tumor ranged from 6 cm × 4 cm to 12 cm × 9 cm. All patients received 2 cycles of COSS 86 chemotherapy before operation and 4 cycles after operation. Results Poor healing of incision was observed in 1 case because of rejection of allograft bone and good healing was obtained after the symptomatic treatment, healing of incision by first intention was achieved in the other children. All 6 cases were followed up 11 to 56 months (mean, 37.5 months). One case died of lung metastasis at 2 years after operation. X-ray films showed no complication of internal fixator loosening and broken or bone nonunion. According to the functional evaluation criteria of International Society of Limb Salvage (ISOLS) at last follow-up, the results were excellent in 3 cases, good in 2 cases, and fair in 1 case; the excellent and good rate was 83.3%. The length of operated limb was (62.97 ± 7.51) cm, showing significant difference when compared with that of normal limb [(64.03 ± 7.47) cm] (t=0.246 6, P=0.813 4). Conclusion On the premise of adaptable indication, effective chemotherapy, and thoroughly tumor resection, the epiphyseal distraction by external fixator can obtain satisfactory results in limb-length and limb function in children with osteoblastic osteosarcoma of the distal femur.