Bone Sarcomas

Because they are rare, bone sarcomas present unique challenges both in diagnosis and treatment. Osteosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma and chondrosarcoma are the three most frequent primary bone sarcomas. This chapter discusses types of osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma. The epidemiology, symptoms and radiological imaging of these tumors are detailed. The importance of a biopsy, the principles of treatment, sequencing of effective adjuvant modalities and appropriate function preserving surgery in a coordinated multimodality approach necessary to optimize the patient’s survival are discussed. The principles of extremity reconstruction, management of metastatic and recurrent disease and posttreatment surveillance are also elaborated on. The survival of patients with sarcomas is governed by a complex interaction of host, tumor and treatment parameters and is best achieved in a specialist sarcoma center with multidisciplinary expertise.