Liquid nitrogen for cryotherapy treatment for osteosarcoma of the middle femur: A case report

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents. Cryotherapy liquid nitrogen has been used an adjuvant treatment for tumors for some decades. CASE PRESENTATION: A 23‐year‐old male patient was admitted to our hospital, mainly due to progressive pain in his left thigh, and confirmed osteosarcoma by local biopsy. A total length of 28 cm tumor bone was completely resected at the region of above and below lesion 3 cm under the guidance of MRI. After removed part of the tumor tissue, tumor bone was dealt with liquid nitrogen for 20 minutes. Finally, the bone was fixed with intramedullary needles for reconstruction. Three months after surgery, the X‐ray examination showed poor bone growth at both distal sides of osteotomy and disuse degeneration of knee joint. The patient was performed an incision on the lateral side of the distal left thigh to secure the locking plate, and followed up every 3 months. Two years after operation, there was no sign of local recurrence. CONCLUSION: Liquid nitrogen for cryotherapy may be a feasible local therapy for large lesion of osteosarcoma in middle femur.