Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and local radiotherapy for high-grade osteosarcoma of the extremities.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of radiation therapy for local control of nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the extremities after induction chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Of 187 patients with nonmetastatic osteosarcoma of the extremities treated with induction chemotherapy since 1986, 31 refused surgery and underwent standard, fractionated external beam radiotherapy for local control. The median radiation dose to the limb was 60 Gy (range 40-68 Gy).