OBJECTIVETo evaluate the local recurrence and 5-year survival of proximal fibular osteosarcoma.

METHODSFrom October 1997 to July 2005, 12 patients with proximal fibular osteosarcoma were treated. There were 9 males and 3 females. The mean age at diagnosis was 16 (9-23) years old. Histopathological diagnosis were obtained by trut-cut biopsy, Enneking surgical stages of 12 lesions were as follows: 11 grade II B and 1 grade III. Induction chemotherapy was applied to all patients except one who left the hospital after the biopsy. Of 11 patients, 8 were performed Malawer type I resection, and 3 type II. All patients continued to get postoperative chemotherapy.

RESULTSRegular follow-up was applied. Only 1 patient was found local recurrence one year after operation and received re-resection, the others did not. Four patients died of lung metastases, including the one who did not get treated, one stage III and two II B patients. The range of follow up was 6 to 117 months. The evaluated 5 year disease-free survival of 11 patients who got treated was 72.7% by using Kaplan Meier survival analysis.

CONCLUSIONSThe local recurrence is low, and 5 year disease-free survival is acceptable, in accordance with present point that marginal resection may not impact survival for fibular osteosarcoma. No knee instability is found in this group after great care is taken for proper reconstruction of lateral collateral ligament and reinsertion of biceps femoris tendon on the lateral condyle of tibia.