Syndecan-4 and fibronectin in osteosarcoma.

AIMS: Syndecan-4 (SDC4) and fibronectin (FN), which belong to the cell adhesion molecules, have been reported to correlate with tumour growth and invasion in various carcinomas. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of these molecules in osteosarcoma. METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry, we compared the expression of these molecules in high grade osteosarcoma to low grade central osteosarcoma, osteoid osteoma and normal bone. Further, the expression of SDC4 and FN were analysed with prognostic factors of high grade osteosarcoma. RESULTS: In high grade osteosarcoma, SDC4 was expressed in 50 of the 65 samples; of these, 32 of 65 showed strong expression profiles. FN was expressed in 46 of 65 samples, and 29 of 65 had evidence of strong expression of this molecule. SDC4 and FN expression were increased in high grade osteosarcoma as compared to other tissues. Strong SDC4 expression was associated with the occurrence of distant metastasis and a large tumour size, and strong FN expression was associated with the occurrence of distant metastasis. Strong expression of SDC4 or FN was associated with significantly shorter overall survival, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: [corrected] Increased expression of SDC4 and FN may be underlying molecular alteration of osteosarcoma which accounts for more aggressive clinical behaviour.

The diagnostic accuracy of MRI versus CT imaging for osteoid osteoma in children.

UNLABELLED: Advanced imaging often is obtained in children suspected of having osteoid osteoma. We hypothesized that magnetic resonance imaging gives a falsely aggressive appearance and that computed tomography is better for identifying osteoid osteoma. This is the first prospective blinded study comparatively assessing these imaging studies in children. Twelve preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans of confirmed cases of osteoid osteoma were collected. Three radiologists blinded to the diagnosis reviewed these images. Only a clinical history of skeletal pain was given. Lesions were classified as benign-latent, benign-aggressive, or malignant. Radiologists were asked to list their primary diagnosis (with a confidence level from 1-10). Seven of these 12 children also had computed tomography scans that subsequently were reviewed in similar manner. With computed tomography scans, lesions were accurately identified as benign-latent (15/21 readings, 71%) and as osteoid osteoma (14/21 readings) more frequently than with magnetic resonance imaging scans (7/36 readings, 19%). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic study, Level III-1 (study of nonconsecutive patients--no consistently applied reference gold standard). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

[Interscapular-thoracic resection in the treatment of patients with tumors of the musculoskeletal system]. / Mezhlopatochno-grudnaia rezektsiia v lechenii bol'nykh opukholiami oporno-dvigatel'nogo apparata.

Data of 13 patients with tumors of the locomotor system subjected to +interscapular-thoracic resection (ITR) are presented. Main technical aspects of ITR are described. Complications took place in 6 patients, including marginal necrosis of the skin in 4 patients. As a whole the 5-year survival made up 49.9% +/- 13.8%. Data are presented on rehabilitation measures which allow to widen the functional possibilities of the extremity.

[Prognostic value of various factors in the treatment of patients with primary malignant tumors of the pelvic bones]. / Prognosticheskoe znachenie razlichnykh faktorov v lechenii bol'nykh pervixhnymi zlokachestvennymi opukholiami kostei taza.

The time of life of 219 patients with primary malignant tumors of bones of the pelvis were analyzed in order to study the influence of different factors on the survival rate of the patients. It was shown that a considerable improvement of some results in the treatment of chondrosarcomas and chordomas was achieved after ablative removal of tumors, in reticulosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma--after a combined chemo-radial treatment with prophylactic courses of the therapy during 2 years. The combination of operation and radiotherapy for the treatment of chordomas gave a reliably higher survival of the patients within 5 years of observation. Prognosis in osteogenic sarcoma and angiosarcoma are extremely unfavorable regardless of the method of treatment.