Pathologic fracture in osteosarcoma has traditionally been associated with a poor prognosis and is an immediate indication for amputation of the affected extremity. This concept has been questioned and remains an area of debate, especially because advances in osteosarcoma treatment have today resulted in better survival and limb salvage rates.

It is the objectives of this paper to analyze the survival and limb salvage rate of osteosarcoma patients presenting with pathologic fractures and compare these with the population of osteosarcoma patients without pathologic fractures.

Over a 15-year period (1993-2008), these were 84 patients presenting with non-metastatic high-grade classic osteosarcoma of the extremities (Enneking Stage IIB) who received complete treatment from the University of the Philippines-Musculoskeletal Tumor (UP-MuST) Unit and who had a follow up of at least 2 years. Ten of these 84 patients had pathologic fractures prior to surgery. Their overall survival was 50%, similar to the 50.38% overall survival of the entire group of 84 osteosarcoma patients. Limb salvage rate was 60%, similar to the 59% rate of patients without pathologic fractures.

This study shows that contrary to traditional teaching, overall survival for this subset of osteosarcoma patients with pathologic fractures is acceptable at 50% and is equal to that of the entire group of osteosarcoma patients. At the same time, successful limb salvage surgery is possible despite the presence of a pathologic fracture, especially in patients with good response to chemotherapy.