Outcomes of Scapular Osteosarcoma

Anticancer Res. 2025 Jan;45(1):219-223. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.17407.

Abstract

Background/aim: Scapular osteosarcoma is a rare malignancy, and the understanding of its optimal treatment strategies and long-term outcomes remains limited. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate our institutional experience.

Patients and methods: We reviewed 14 patients (8 females, 5 males; mean age 44±17 years) treated for scapular osteosarcoma from 1985 to 2022. Tumors were confirmed histologically and treated with a multidisciplinary approach, including chemotherapy and surgery with a median follow-up of 10 years.

Results: Surgical complications occurred in eight patients, leading to repeat procedures in four. Complications were associated with the use of implants or allografts (p<0.01). Mean shoulder forward elevation and external rotation at follow-up were 42±61° and 12±16°, with a mean MSTS93 score of 61±19%. The 10-year disease-specific survival rates was 76%. Local recurrence was associated with worse survival (HR=13.19, p=0.04).

Conclusion: Scapular osteosarcoma is rare, and with multidisciplinary management, local control is essential to patient survival.

Keywords: Shoulder gridle; bone sarcoma; chemotherapy; limb salvage.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Neoplasms* / mortality
  • Bone Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Bone Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Osteosarcoma* / mortality
  • Osteosarcoma* / pathology
  • Osteosarcoma* / surgery
  • Osteosarcoma* / therapy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Scapula* / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult