The association between the computed tomography findings, histologic features, and outcome of osteosarcoma of the jaw

Purpose: The study goal was to clarify the association between computed tomography (CT) findings, histologic features, and outcome of osteosarcoma of the jaw (OSJ). Materials and Methods: The CT findings and histologic features of 10 patients with OSJ were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were histopathologically diagnosed to have OSJ. The points analyzed on the CT included the patterns of osteogenesis and any signs of bone destruction. The histologic types were classified according to the 1993 World Health Organization histologic classification of bone tumors. Furthermore, the histologic subtype was classified into the following 3 types: osteoblastic, chondroblastic, and fibroblastic. The grade of the tumor tissue was classified from I to IV. These were compared with the affected jaw site and the outcome of the patients with OSJ. Results: All tumors were classified into the conventional central osteosarcoma histologically. Eight cases were osteoblastic, and 2 cases were chondroblastic. Grade I or II (4 of 5 patients are alive without disease) dominated in the maxilla, but in contrast, grade III or IV (4 of 5 patients are dead of disease or alive with disease) dominated in the mandible. A significant association was seen between the osteogenesis found on the CT images and the outcome, between the grade and the outcome, and between the outcome and the affected jaw site (P =. 02), respectively, in OSJ in this study. However, no significant association was observed between the CT findings and the histologic features in OSJ in this series. Conclusions: The osteogenesis on the CT, grade, and affected jaw site were considered to be prognostic factors in OSJ in this limited series.