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Post Operative Infection and Increased Survival in Osteosarcoma Patients: Are They Associated?

  • Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas
  • Published:
Annals of Surgical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Despite neo-adjuvant chemotherapy osteosarcomas having significant mortality, recent studies have shown survival advantages following infections for some tumour types. This study investigates the effect of post-operative infection in patients treated for osteosarcoma using endoprosthetic replacement and neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.

Material and Methods

A consecutive series of 547 patients underwent surgery between 1981 and 2001 for osteosarcoma. Patients were excluded from the study if over 60 years old at diagnosis (n = 14) as they would not routinely receive chemotherapy. Studies showed that 70% of deep infections occur within one year from reconstruction. Therefore landmark analysis was performed; all patients infected after 12 months of reconstruction were excluded (15 patients, 2.7%) and those who died within 12 months from diagnosis due to metastases were excluded (105 patients, 19.2%), leaving 412 patients. Any survival advantage of early infection was analysed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis from this landmark point.

Results

Overall population survival was 65% at 10 years after landmarking. There were 41 patients (10%) who developed an infection within one year of implantation. These patients had significantly better survival (p = 0.017). The 10-year survival for patients with osteosarcoma with infection was 84.5% compared to 62.3% in the non-infected group after landmarking. There was no significant difference in the percentage post-chemotherapy specimen necrosis between the two groups (p = 0.36). Infection was an independent prognostic factor on cox regression analysis.

Conclusions

There was evidence for increased survival after deep post-operative infection in osteosarcoma patients, in keeping with other research. The authors feel this warrants further investigation.

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Author notes

  1. L. M. Jeys MSc (Ortho. Engin.), FRCS (Tr & Orth)

    Present address: Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Oncology Service, Waterstones House, 31a Green Abbey, Hade Edge, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, HD9 2SH, United Kingdom

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Oncology Service, Bristol Road South, Northfield, Birmingham, B31 2AP, United Kingdom

    L. M. Jeys MSc (Ortho. Engin.), FRCS (Tr & Orth), R. J. Grimer FRCS, S. R. Carter FRCS, R. M Tillman FRCS & A. Abudu FRCS

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  1. L. M. Jeys MSc (Ortho. Engin.), FRCS (Tr & Orth)
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  2. R. J. Grimer FRCS
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Correspondence to L. M. Jeys MSc (Ortho. Engin.), FRCS (Tr & Orth).

Additional information

Previous Presentations: British Orthopaedic Association, September 2006; Connective Tissue Oncology Society, November 2006; Accepted for American Association Orthopaedic Surgeons (February 2007)

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Jeys, L.M., Grimer, R.J., Carter, S.R. et al. Post Operative Infection and Increased Survival in Osteosarcoma Patients: Are They Associated?. Ann Surg Oncol 14, 2887–2895 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-007-9483-8

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