The Scandinavian Sarcoma Group: 30 years' experience.

Background and purpose The Scandinavian Sarcoma Group (SSG) XIV protocol was based upon the organisations experience from 3 previous osteosarcoma trials and was considered best standard of care for patients with extremity localised, non-metastatic osteosarcoma. We report the outcome of this protocol. Patients and methods From March 2001 to April 2005, 63 patients recruited from 10 centres in Finland, Sweden and Norway were included in this analysis. Patients received pre-operative chemotherapy consisting of 2 cycles of paired methotrexate (12 g/m(2)), cisplatin (90 mg/m(2)) and doxorubicin (75 mg/m(2)). Good histological responders continued with 3 cycles postoperatively whilst poor responders were salvaged with the addition of 3 cycles of ifusfamide (10-12 g/m(2)). Outcome data was compared to previous SSG osteosarcoma trials. Results With a median follow-up of 64 months for survivors, the projected metastasis-free and sarcoma-related survivals at 5 years were 69% and 77%, respectively. 84% of the patients were treated with limb salvage surgery (49 patients) or rotationplasty (4 patients). 3 toxic deaths (5%) were recorded, all related to acute chemotherapy toxicity. The 5-year metastasis-free survival of patients receiving salvage therapy was 47% compared to 89% for good histological responders that only received the 3 drug combination postoperatively. Interpretation Outcome in the SSG XIV protocol compares favourably to previous SSG osteosarcoma trials and other published trials. The addition of ifosfamide to poor responders as an add on treatment did not improve outcome for poor responders to a similar level as for good responders. In a multi-institutional setting limb salvage surgery can safely be used in more than 80% of the patients. (Less)