Fibrosarcoma of Bone

  • Presentation & localisation similar to that of osteosarcoma
  • occurs most often in adolescents or young adults
  • presents in major long bones, presenting as painful mass
  • preoperative staging studies are needed to differentiate low grade stage I fibrosarcomas from high grade stage II lesions
Fibrosarcoma of Bone, gross specimen of a fibrosarcoma of the elbow
Gross specimen of a fibrosarcoma of the elbow. Image by Denis Desaulniers et Bernard Têtu, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

X-rays

  • poorly defined, destructive, radiolucent lesion of metaphysis
  • stage I tumours:
    • remain within bone & have a distinct, well defined margin
  • high grade tumours:
    • poorly marginated & permeative lesion with bone destruction

Treatment

  • limb salvaging excision with wide margin suffices for stage Ia tumours, whereas stage IIb fibrosarcomas require radical or wide margins with adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy
  • prognosis for patients with stage II fibrosarcoma is guarded

Reviewed by Professor Phong Tran, Head of Orthopaedic Surgery, Western Health. Last updated 10 October 2026.