BONE SARCOMAS

The literature on radiotherapy for sarcomas originating in bone is lim ited, and the disease is uncommon. Consequently, this review is based on only 28 scientific articles, including 6 randomized studies, 1 pros pective study, and 11 retrospective studies. These studies involve 139 4 patients. Radiotherapy is of limited value for treating the primary tumors of osteosarcoma. The effects of prophylactic lung irradiation f or treating osteosarcoma are unconfirmed. Radiotherapy represents an i ntegrated component of primary treatment for Ewing's sarcoma, but diff erent fractionation schedules should be assessed. Radiotherapy is of l imited value in the treatment of chondrosarcoma.