Osteosarcoma of the jaws. Analysis of 56 cases

Abstract

Fifty‐six cases of osteosarcoma of the maxilla or mandible are analyzed for clinical, roentgenographic and histologic character, therapy and prognosis. The mean age at the onset of symptoms for osteosarcoma of the jaws is about a decade later than for osteosarcoma of other bones. Pain is less often associated with osteosarcoma in the jaws than it is in the long bones. Roentgenographic evidence of a symmetrically widened periodontal membrane space may be a significant early finding. There is no correlation between the histologic character of the tumors and prognosis but prognosis does appear to vary depending upon the specific site of origin within the bones. The worst prognosis is associated with maxillary antral osteosarcomas and mandibular symphysis osteosarcomas have the best prognosis. Radical surgery is the treatment of choice. Approximately one third of the patients had biopsy‐proved metastasis, with the lung being the most common site. Copyright © 1967 American Cancer Society