Growth rates of pulmonary metastases (doubling time, duration of metastases) were studied according to the methods of Collins, V. P. et al.. Examined cases were as follows; 9 of osteosarcoma, 3 of chondrosarcoma, 3 of fibrosarcoma and 2 of liposarcoma.
Following results were obtained.
1. “Doubling times” of osteosarcoma were 3 to 235 days, those of chondrosarcoma were 9 to 90 days, those of fibrosarcoma were 12 to 90 days and those of liposarcoma were 17 days.
2. In 13 cases the time of inception of metastasis followed prior to the earliest sign or syptom of the primary disease.
3. Shrinkage of metastases were found in one of chondrosarcomas and liposarcomas with radiotherapy.
According to these results, the relation between growth rates and treatments were discussed.