S. Korean scientists develop bone cancer treatment prediction table

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, Jan. 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korean scientists on Friday said they have
developed a advanced treatment prediction table for bone cancer that can better
help doctors deal with the deadly disease.
The Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences team led by Jeon
Dae-geun said the table was compiled by carefully examining 365 patients treated
for the disease. It checks the age of patients when they were diagnosed with
osteosarcoma, location of the tumor, size and necrotic rate, which is the effect
of chemotherapy on cancerous growth.
The table is the first of its kind in the world for this type of cancer that
affects children and young adults under 20.
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer accounting for roughly 30
percent of all cases reported. In the past children who were diagnosed had a
survival rate of 5-15 percent even after limb amputation, but this has been
raised to 60-70 percent at present owing to medical advances.
"The accuracy rate of prediction is 95 percent, making this a very reliable tool
for doctors who must make important decisions on how to implement treatment,"
Jeon said.
"Because customized treatment is possible by referring to the charts, doctors can
now raise or lower dosage based on the severity of the condition or opt to carry
out surgery in high risk cases where chemotheraphy may not be effective," the
expert said.
The chart, in addition, tallies up total risk factors that can be used to check
the probability of the cancer breaking out within the next five years. This
feature can help patients that fall in to the high risk category from taking
special checkups.
The development of the prediction chart has been published in the latest Internet
issue of the Annals of Oncology, a international publication of cancer treatment.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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