Longhi et al identified prognostic factors for an elderly patient who develops an osteosarcoma. This can help to identify a patient who may benefit from more aggressive management. The authors are from the Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli in Bologna, Italy.
Patient selection: osteosarcoma in a patient > 65 years of age
Parameters:
(1) stage of the tumor (distant metastases)
(2) tumor volume
(3) surgery
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
volume |
< 150 cubic cm |
0 |
|
>= 150 cubic cm |
1 |
distant metastases |
absent |
0 |
|
present |
1 |
surgery performed |
yes |
0 |
|
no |
1 |
where:
• Patients who did not have surgery may have refused surgery and/or opted for radiation therapy.
total number of factors associated with a poor prognosis =
= SUM(points for all 3 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum number of risk factors: 0
• maximum number of risk factors: 3
• The prognosis gets worse as the number of risk factors increase.
• An elderly patient with osteosarcoma tends to do worse than a younger patient with a comparable tumor. Early diagnosis and aggressive management can improve outcomes.
Specialty: Hematology Oncology, Surgery, general, Surgery, orthopedic
ICD-10: ,