A Mayo Clinic pathologist has found that primary malignant tumors of the bone may be radiosensitive or radioresistant. The differentiation is of prime importance in immediate treatment, according to David C. Dahlin, MD, Rochester, Minn, who addressed the fifth National Cancer Conference.
For radioresistant tumors, complete surgical removal should be attempted as early as practicable. This usually means major amputation—except for small lesions of the extremities and those in special locations such as a rib. Irradiation to the tumor or perfusion of the involved part prior to surgery are of doubtful value at this time, according to Dahlin.
The radiosensitive malignant tumors are known as "small round cell" tumors. Irradiation is thought by most authorities to be the primary therapy for Ewing's sarcoma, localized foci of myeloma, and malignant lymphoma, Dahlin reported. Amputation is recommended for Ewing's sarcomas and primary lymphomas of bone in special locations, such as the distal