John J. Alapatt, MS, DNB,a Abhay Kattepur, MCh, MS, DNB, MRCS,a M.P. Nizamudheen, MCh, MS,a Satheesan Balasubramaniam, MCh, MS, DNBaaDepartment of Surgical Oncology, Malabar Cancer Center, Thalassery, Kerala, India
CORRESPONDENCE: Dr. Abhay Kattepur, drabhay1985@gmail.com
DISCLOSURES: The authors report no conflicts of interest concerning the materials or methods used in this study or the findings specified in this paper.
Osteosarcoma of the metatarsal is rare. Our case remains unique as it reports the second youngest patient in the literature. Erroneous or delayed diagnosis resulting in inadequate tumor excision and limb loss (amputation) often occurs in a majority of the cases. Proper pretreatment radiological imaging becomes imperative, and when clinical suspicion is high, a needle biopsy must follow in those cases. Early diagnosis with administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy may allow us to perform limb salvage surgery or wide excision in these cases.
Acknowledgement We would like to thank Dr. Sithara Aravind, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Malabar Cancer Center, for the photomicrographs.