Russian researchers report in the February issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings that radiation therapy coupled with chemotherapy is effective in treating some patients with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer.

In the study, the researchers say radiation therapy might be an effective complement used after chemotherapy for osteosarcoma of the extremities. Of the 31 patients, satisfactory disease control and excellent limb function were achieved in the 11 patients who had a pronounced response to initial chemotherapy.

The researchers note that although some patients achieved disease control without undergoing surgery, the role of standard surgery and chemotherapy should not be underestimated. They also noted that the standard mega voltage radiation techniques used in their study can be done at most major medical centers.

One of the benefits of using radiation therapy as a complement is that it can replace bone surgery, which can produce complications in some patients. The study was conducted by researchers at the N.N. Blokhin Cancer Research Center in Moscow, Russia. The researchers note that radiotherapy can be useful in some patients but say that further study is needed to determine the effectiveness and when this method of treatment is best used.

In an editorial in the same issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Peter Anderson, M.D., Ph.D., of the Mayo Clinic Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, writes that radiotherapy may provide an alternative to surgery for some patients. However, further study is needed to determine the optimal manner in which to use the new knowledge that radiotherapy can be effective when used with chemotherapy for osteosarcoma.

"The study's results show that external beam radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy may provide 'better than expected' local and systemic control," Dr. Anderson said. "In the meantime, this intriguing information is bound to generate discussion and some controversy. I hope that clues provided by these researchers will improve treatment results and quality of life for some patients with osteosarcoma."

Mayo Clinic Proceedings is a peer-reviewed and indexed general internal medicine journal, published for more than 75 years by Mayo Foundation.