Radiation in bone sarcomas: a re-evaluation in the era of intensive systemic chemotherapy.

We have reviewed the literature and described experience in treating Ewing's sarcoma and osteosarcoma before and during the era of intensive systemic chemotherapy. Local control of Ewing's sarcoma may relate to increasing doses of radiation, especially when intensive chemotherapy is administered also. Problems of radiation enhancement by chemotherapy have caused us to reconsider time-dose and volume parameters in treating these patients. The role of radiation in osteogenic sarcoma is limited to patients with inoperable lesions and metastases.