Ten years old girl who had osteosarcoma of the mandible, received monthly high dose methotrexate therapy (100mg-200mg/kg) thirteen times as a adjuvant chemotherapy after radical operation. As side effects leukopenia (minimum 2, 600/mm3) and vomiting were frequently observed. Neither renal functional abnormality nor other severe side effects were noticed.
There was no evidence of tumor recurrence or metastasis while two years after the radical operation.
Thus high dose methotrexate therapy is effective on jaw bone osteosarcoma. However, optimum hydration of the patient, alkalinization of the urine and periodical measurement of serum methotrexate concentration are necessary to perform this regimen without fatality.
