Evaluation of cobalt 60 radiotherapy with local cuff ischaemia in patients with primary osteosarcoma of extremities

In 7 patients with primary osteosarcoma of the extremities who refused to have surgical treatment the authors applied radiotherapy with Co60 in total doses of 13.5 thousand R under the conditions of local ischaemia produced with cuff pressure. In 2 patients complete remission of the neoplasm was obtained, in 3 the extremity was amputated later because of postradiation necrosis or recurrence of the neoplasm. Four patients died, including 2 dying from remote metastases shortly after establishing the diagnosis. Postradiation fibrosis of tissues was observed in all cases and necrosis in 1 case. No nervous system complications or changes in peripheral blood were found. The authors suggest a particular usefulness of the method in patients with primary osteosarcoma of the extremities, who refuse surgery. (author)