Prophylactic irradiation of the lungs to prevent development of pulmonary metastases in patients with osteosarcoma of the limbs.

A controlled clinical trial conducted by the European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer Radiotherapy Cooperative Group has shown that prophylactic lung irradiation is effective in preventing lung metastases in patients under 17 years of age. Recently, a new three-armed trial has started in which prophylactic chemotherapy and lung irradiation and chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy to the lungs will be compared for their ability to prevent the development of lung metastases.