Does neo-adjuvant chemotherapy increase the risk of infection after limb salvage surgery for bone tumors?

Abstract

20532 Background: Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy is commonly used to eradicate the micro metastases and to prepare the patient for limb-salvage surgery. It helps the surgeon to get good oncological margin intraoperatively. Methods: Between the period of 1992 - 2005, 321 patients underwent limb salvage surgery for bone tumors at the Department of General Oncology (Bone & Soft tissue tumors), N. N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center & Moscow Regional Clinical Research Institute, Moscow, Russian Federation. 230/321 patients (Group A) received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. The course of chemotherapy ranges from 2 to 11 cycles. 95/321 patients (Group B) did not receive neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. The histological diagnoses were: 155 - High grade osteosarcoma, 38 - Giant cell tumor, 36 - Malignant fibrous histiocytoma, 29 - Chondrosarcoma, 25 - Periosteal osteosarcoma, 21 - Metastasis from other organs and 17 - Ewing's tumor. Results: In Group A, 27 patients (11.7%) and in Group B, 7 (7.3%) had infection of endoprosthetic bed. Suppression of the immune system by chemotherapeutic agents is the main reason for the higher incidence of infection in Group A. All the 27 patients in Group A and 2 patients in Group B had revisional endoprosthetic replacement. In group A 7/27 and in Group B none of the 7 patients died of post operative infection. The follow-up ranged from 1 - 13 years (mean follow-up 6 years). Discussion: In our opinion, it has a major disadvantage, i.e. it increases the risk of postoperative infection. How best to combine this drug is still unknown. In the future, therapy for bone tumors should be enhanced by advances in pharmacology, immunology, and molecular genetics that will lead to more efficacious, specific and less toxic treatments. An interdisciplinary team approach is needed in order to advance the goal of local tumor control, limb salvage with optimum extremity function, minimal morbidity and improved long term survival. No significant financial relationships to disclose.