Objective. Classic high-grade osteosarcoma is uncommon in preadolescents (less than or equal to 10 years of age). The possibilities of clinicopathologic differences from the typical adolescent osteosarcoma patient have been raised. We sought to compare the presentation, treatment and survival of this subgroup of patients with published rates in order to determine if there is a need to use a treatment regimen different from that for regular adolescent osteosarcoma patients. Methods. Records of the University of the Philippines-Musculoskeletal Tumor Unit (UP-MuST) over a 15-year period (1993-2008) were reviewed and data collected on patients 10 years and younger with biopsy-proven classic high-grade intramedullary osteosarcoma who underwent complete treatment by the Unit. Demographics and survival rates were then compared with published rates for preadolescent and regular adolescent osteosarcoma cases. Results. There were fourteen patients; (6M:8F; age: 4-10 years). The most common presentation was a painful mass in the distal femur (8); the tumors most commonly had osteoblastic histology (12). Treatment consisted of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, wide surgical excision through ablation (9) or limb-saving surgery (5), and postoperative chemotherapy. There was a good histologic response (over 90% tumor necrosis) in four patients. Seven patients are ANED (alive no evidence of disease) 25 to 186 months after diagnosis. Five-year survival estimate is 52%, compared to a dismal 5 to 10% 15 years ago. Conclusion. Clinicopathologic presentation, clinical course, and overall survival in this subgroup of patients are comparable with published results for both preadolescent and adolescent osteosarcoma patients. There is no need to alter the present treatment regimen for this group of young patients.
Human ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Child Preschool ; OSTEOSARCOMA ; THERAPEUTICS ; THERAPY ; NEOPLASMS ; NEOPLASMS BY HISTOLOGIC TYPE ; NEOPLASMS, CONNECTIVE AND SOFT TISSUE ; NEOPLASMS, CONNECTIVE TISSUE ; NEOPLASMS, BONE TISSUE ;

Introduction: The coronavirus pandemic has affected millions worldwide. Better understanding of COVID-19 in pediatric hematology-oncology patients in a resource-limited setting is crucial to improve care as the pandemic ensues. Objectives: This study describes the clinical profile and outcomes of pediatric hematology oncology patients with COVID-19 seen at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). Methods: A retrospective, descriptive review of pediatric hematology oncology patients with COVID-19 seen between March 2020 to March 2021 in PGH was done. Results: Forty patients were identified. Seventeen percent had non-malignant hematologic conditions, 40% had leukemias, and 42.5% had solid tumors. Fever and cough were the most common manifestations. Seventy-six percent were on treatment, 9% were newly diagnosed, and 7% were in relapse or disease progression. Fifty-five percent had mild COVID-19; 5% and 2.5% had severe and critical COVID-19, respectively. Thirty-seven percent were asymptomatic. Cancer-related therapy was placed on hold for most patients. There were two mortalities, none was due to COVID-19. Conclusion Results suggest that patients with hematologic and oncologic conditions have a mild course, with majority showing recovery from COVID-19. Delays in cancer-related therapy however, may contribute to disease progression and mortality.
COVID-19

Objectives. The ongoing Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted healthcare systems worldwide. This study aimed to document the effect of COVID-19 on osteosarcoma treatment pathways in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and determine if there were any delays. Method. A retrospective review of osteosarcoma patients treated at the PGH from January 1, 2019 – January 1, 2020 (pre-COVID-19) was compared to those treated during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 1, 2020 – September 1, 2020. Rates of diagnosed osteosarcoma, admission for chemotherapy, admission for surgery, treatment abandonment, metastatic disease on presentation, 1-year mortality, and amputation were calculated and compared between the two groups. Results. From March to September 2020, 11 newly diagnosed osteosarcoma patients sought consult at the PGH. Only one patient sought consult during the initial 3-4 months of the study, suggesting that patients delayed seeking healthcare during the period of enhanced community quarantine. Patients seen during the pandemic had a higher rate of metastatic disease on presentation, reflecting the delay in diagnosis. Due to COVID-19 restrictions early in the pandemic, osteosarcoma patients were coordinated and referred to outside hospitals for intravenous chemotherapy and surgery. Normalization of services (hospital admissions, limb salvage surgeries) were seen at the later stages of the study, corresponding to the loosening of the quarantine. Conclusions. Osteosarcoma patients experienced delays in seeking consult, diagnosis, and treatment at the PGH due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Early indicators suggest worse outcomes for these patients due to the delays. Strategies employed during the pandemic, such as networking of care and telemedicine, may help in future outbreaks.
Coronavirus ; COVID-19 ; Coronavirus Infections ; Pandemics ; Osteosarcoma