Predictors and Survival of Patients with Osteosarcoma After Limb Salvage versus Amputation: A Population-Based Analysis with Propensity Score Matching

Conflicting findings have been reported concerning the survival of patients treated with limb salvage and amputation for osteosarcoma. This study aimed to identify predictors associated with surgery types and survival difference.

Patients with osteosarcoma were selected from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database (1975–2016). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted, and a nomogram was further established. Propensity score matching (PSM)-adjusted Kaplan–Meier curves, log-rank tests, Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were performed to compare overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS).

Among 3363 patients with osteosarcoma, 2447 and 916 underwent limb salvage and amputation. Predictors associated with amputation in the nomogram included age, gender, primary tumor site, tumor grade, tumor stage, tumor size and radiotherapy. Totally 900 pairs of patients treated with limb salvage and amputation were matched after PSM. Limb salvage was significantly associated with improved OS (HR, 0.773; 95% CI, 0.670–0.892; p < 0.001) and CSS (HR, 0.795; 95% CI, 0.681–0.927; p = 0.003) in PSM-adjusted cohort after adjusting for related variables. The significant treatment effect of limb salvage was consistent within most subgroups. Among patients treated with surgery for osteosarcoma, age between 41 and 60, age ≥ 61, pelvis as the primary site, high tumor grade (III/IV), regional and distant tumor stage, tumor size ≥ 92 mm and radiotherapy were independent prognostic factors in PSM cohort.

Limb salvage exhibits significant benefit on OS and CSS compared with amputation for osteosarcoma. Predicators and survival differences should be given full consideration for the treatment of osteosarcoma.