Growth rate and effectiveness of radiotherapy of long bones sarcoma

In 158 patients with osteosarcoma the tumour growth rate was determined and the effectiveness of different ways of therapy was evaluated. Osteosarcoma belongs to one of the most rapidly growing human tumours (Td=60-15 days). The growth rate of some tumours varied from 12 to 157 days, only 20 % of the patients has tumours with a moderate growth rate (Td more than 80 days). Survival rate of the patients and the clinical course of osteosarcoma are in the inverse dependence on growth rate. It is shown that none of the method provided steady recovery in the patients with the most rapidly growing tumour (Td = 12-40 days), since they die of disseminations and metastases. It is established that the tumour growth rate is the true prognostic indices