Osteosarcoma seen at the National Orthopaedic Hospital; Enugu - A retrospective review of 20 cases

ABSTRACT

A case study of 20 primary osteosarcoma seen at National Orthopaedic Hospital; Enugu for a period of ten years (June 1; 1978 to June 1; 1988) was done. The tumor was found to be the commonest bone tumor constituting 40of the malignant bone tumors seen at the hospital. Ninety per cent of the tumors occurred in the long bones; with 60occurring in the region of the knee. 15occurred in the upper limb while 85in the lower limb. Greater percentage of patients seen were lost to follow-up after one year and only six deaths were recorded. Treatment mostly was ablative surgery and adjuvant chemo-therapy