Pathological analysis of the microwave ablation treatment of osteosarcoma in situ:a 43-month follow-up report after the operation

ZHANG Yu; YAO Zi-long; KE Jin; ZHANG Tao; MA Li-min; LI Mei; LI Li-hua; OUYANG Lan-fei; HUANG Hua-yang; XIA Hong

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-252X.2014.02.015

Abstract：Objective To evaluate the mid-term clinical effects of the microwave ablation treatment of osteosarcoma and to investigate the pathological changes of the bone with tumors. Methods One patient with distal femoral osteosarcoma underwent microwave ablation in situ and limb salvage of internal ifxation, who was followed up for 43 months after the operation. In the latest follow-up, the internal ifxator was removed, and the pathological examination was carried out in the middle ( with primary tumors ) and distal femur and the surrounding the soft tissues. Results The patient was disease-free for 53 months after the operation. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society ( MSTS ) scoring system was used to evaluate the joint function, and the score for the patient was 30 points. The pathological examination results were stated as following. There were some lamella trabeculas, adipose tissues and regenerative vascular tissues in the middle tumor-bearing femur. In the distal tumor-bearing femur, both partial degeneration and necrosis of the bone and formation of fresh bone tissues could be observed. Meanwhile, degenerated striated muscles, collagenous ifbrillar connective tissues and nervous tissues could be noticed in the surrounding soft tissues of the distal femur microscopically. No residual tumor cells were found microscopically. Conclusions Excellent mid-term clinical effects are obtained in this patient undergoing the microwave ablation treatment of osteosarcoma, who is free of cancer now. Necrosis of the bone still exists and complete revascularization can not been observed in the treated segment at 43 months after the operation, which predicts the possibility of postoperative fractures.