[The results of a combination of interferon and selective surgery in the treatment of osteosarcoma (author's transl)]

Abstract

Since 1971, Interferon has been used by the authors in the treatment of 46 consecutive cases of osteosarcoma. Two thirds of the cases were treated by amputation, the remainder being treated by resection followed by grafting or a prosthesis. No case was treated by radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Before 1971, the survival rate was 15 p. 100; in contemporary cases treated without Interferon, the rate of survival was 30 p. 100. In the present series the rate of survival was 50 p. 100 after 5 years. It is concluded that Interferon seems to have a positive action. The selection of cases which can be treated by local resection is difficult.