Epidemiologic Study of 112 Osteosarcomas in Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand
Jongkolnee Settakorn MD*, Samreung Rangdaeng MD*, Olarn Arpornchayanon MD**, Suree Lekawanvijit MD*, Patcharee Suwannason MD*, Paul S Thorner MD***
Affiliation : * Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand ** Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand *** Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Objective : To summarize the epidemiologic features of osteosarcoma.
Materials and Methods : One hundred and twelve cases of osteosarcoma were collected retrospectively from the
Pathology Department of the Chiang Mai University Hospital, Thailand between 1995 and 2005.
Results : From the present study, there were 14 cases in average, annually, since 2002. Seventy-seven percent
of cases were from the upper north Thailand, the region serviced by Chiang Mai University Hospital. The
male:female ratio was 1.3:1 and 86% of cases occurred within the first three decades of life. The majority of
cancer was found in the long bones (83%) and the majority of lesion was around the knee (68%). Conven-
tional and telangiectatic osteosarcoma accounted for 85% and 8% of cases, respectively.
Conclusion : The authors have summarized some epidemiologic features of osteosarcoma. The authors found
the relatively high frequency of telangiectatic osteosarcoma around the upper part of north Thailand. These
results give an initial picture to the national health provider section for planning personnel, medical and
supportive equipment, and funding for the care of osteosarcoma patients. Nationwide co-operation in regis-
tering osteosarcoma patients would provide more complete data on this tumor in Thailand and promote the
establishment of standardized treatment protocols.
Keywords : Osteosarcoma, Epidemiology, Distribution
