Diffuse Calcification of Metastases after Intensive Multiagent Chemotherapy in Widespread Osteosarcoma Leading to Death in a 18-Year-Old Male: Report of a Case and Literature Review

Abstract

Multifocal osteosarcoma represents a rare and aggressive type of osteosarcoma in which multiple bone lesions are detected simultaneously in the absence of pulmonary or any other visceral organ involvement. Despite a multidisciplinary approach, overall survival remains poor and disease progresses, leading to death within 1 yr of diagnosis. Here we report a case of an 18-yr-old patient with extensively metastatic osteosarcoma developing diffuse calcification in lung, pleural, diaphragm, pericardial, subcutaneous metastases, and mediastinal lymph nodes after intensive multiagent chemotherapy. We provide an extensive review of the literature together with presentation of different aspects regarding the debate on the multicentric versus metastatic hypotheses for multifocal osteosarcoma. An update on the current understanding of the molecular features of this disease is also included.