Survival of osteosarcoma patients following diagnosis of synchronous skip metastases

Background: We aim to investigate the prognostic implications of synchronous skip metastases in osteosarcoma by presenting the largest single centre series to date. Methods: Retrospective study of 21 osteosarcoma patients with skip metastases treated between 1983 and 2004. Results: No statistical difference in overall survival was demonstrated when comparing presence of lung metastases to those without (p = 0.859). No statistical difference was found in overall survival according to age group (< 18yrs vs > 18yrs; p = 0.126), or to percentage chemotherapy-induced bone necrosis (< 90% vs > 90%; p = 0.056). Conclusions: The presence of skip metastases confers a very poor prognosis as an independent variable.