Small cell osteosarcoma

Epidemiology

Small-cell osteosarcoma accounts for 1.3% of all osteosarcomas.

Clinical features

This lesion is found most commonly in the femur.

Differential diagnosis

Ewing's sarcoma.  Small cell osteosarcoma is distinguished by the presence of a mineralised matrix.

Prognosis

Prognosis is unaffected by the cytological features or cell size.  The median survival with surgery plus chemotherapy is 13.4 years  The median survival with surgery alone is 1.4 years.

References

Nakajima H, Sim FH, Bond JC, Unni KK.  Small cell osteosarcoma of bone.  Review of 72 cases. Cancer 1997;29:2095-106.  (This paper is from the Mayo clinic.)

©SMUHT/PW Bishop