Osteosarcoma: improved survival with anticoagulation and amputation.

Publication/Presentation Date

6-1-1978

Abstract

A study of warfarin anticoagulation as an adjunct to amputation of osteosarcomas was undertaken after finding dramatic results in experimental systems. Anticoagulation was started 7 days preoperatively, continued during the operation, and for up to six months postoperatively. Three of 21 (14%) non-anticoagulated control patients are alive at 5-11 years. Five of 9 (56%) of the anticoagulated patients remain alive 5-8 years. The presumed mechanism of increased survival is an inhibition of fibrin deposition around circulating tumor cells, thereby preventing their adherence to capillary endothelium to initiate metastasis formation.

Volume

41

Issue

6

First Page

2475

Last Page

2480

ISSN

0008-543X

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

274994

Department(s)

Department of Surgery

Document Type

Article

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