Osteosarcoma. Improved Survival with Anticoagulation and Amputation

Abstract

A study of warfarin anticoagulation as an adjunct to amputation of osteosarcomas was undertaken after finding dramatic results in experimental systems. Anticoagulation was started 7 days preoperatively, continued during the operation, and for up to six months postoperatively. Three of 21 (14%) non‐anticoagulated control patients are alive at 5–11 years. Five of 9 (56%) of the anticoagulated patients remain alive 5–8 years. The presumed mechanism of increased survival is an inhibition of fibrin deposition around circulating tumor cells, thereby preventing their adherence to capillary endothelium to initiate metastasis formation. Copyright © 1978 American Cancer Society