Osteosarcoma in New Zealand 1981-7: an overview.
AIMS
To examine the incidence, and results of treatment of osteosarcoma in New Zealand between 1981 and 1987.


METHOD
Data was obtained from the Cancer Registry for all patients registered with osteosarcoma between 1981 and 1987.


RESULTS
There were 104 patients in the study group. There was a peak incidence in the second decade with a second smaller peak in the seventh and eight decades. The overall 5 year survival rate was 29%. For the group aged under 30 years there was a 44% 5 year survival rate. Those aged over 60 years had a 3.2% 5 year survival. Survival rates were better when treated with surgery and chemotherapy and where the tumour was of the appendicular skeleton.


CONCLUSION
This is a mixed group of patients. The 5 year survival rates appear to be at the lower end of the spectrum of the results reported for similar groups in other countries.