Incidence, epidemiology and treatment results of osteosarcoma in Finland – a nationwide population-based study

Abstract

The present nationwide and population-based study is our second report of treatment and prognosis of osteosarcoma in Finland. With modern chemotherapy the prognosis of local osteosarcoma has improved in Finland from 47% during 1971-1980 and 65% during 1981-1990 at five years to the present 73% during 1991-2005 at 10 years. The 10-year sarcoma-specific survival of 73% is excellent and comparable to results reported with contemporary treatment protocols in high-volume centers. However, improvement in limb-salvage rate and local control probably requires centralization of treatment of this rare disease.