The Role of Chemotherapy in the Survival Benefits of Patients Aged Older Than 40 Years With Osteosarcoma

Objectives: The value of chemotherapy in the survival benefits of patients aged > 40 years with osteosarcoma is controversial. We aimed to explore the impact of chemotherapy on the survival benefits of patients aged >40 years with osteosarcoma. Methods: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to select eligible patients. The selected patients were divided into the chemotherapy and non-chemotherapy groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the potential factors contributing to the selection of chemotherapy. The overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of the two groups were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method with a log-rank test. Cox proportional risk models were used to determine the prognostic factors for OS and CSS. Stratified analysis was performed according to tumour grade and stage. Results: A total of 1032 eligible patients were included in our analysis. Of these, 586 and 446 patients were in the chemotherapy and nonchemotherapy groups, respectively. Multivariate logistic analysis indicated that grade III/IV and distant stage were associated with chemotherapy. Kaplan-Meier plots showed that patients did not achieve an improved OS or CSS after receiving chemotherapy. Cox regression analysis indicated that age > 60 years, axial, grade III/IV, and regional and distant stage were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in both OS and CSS. Stratified analysis revealed a survival benefit from chemotherapy in patients with grade III/IV and distant stage. Conclusions: Chemotherapy did not significantly improve OS and CSS in patients aged > 40 years with osteosarcoma. In this age group, survival benefit from chemotherapy was observed in patients with high-grade tumours (grade III/IV) and metastasis (distant stage).