Gnathic osteosarcomas, experience of four institutions from Turkey.

Osteosarcoma is the most frequent primary gnathic sarcoma. Neither the etiology nor the variables effecting the prognosis are fully known due mostly to the rarity of gnathic osteosarcomas. To date a considerable number of clinicopathologic features have been suggested in the evaluation of gnathic osteosarcomas. Still there is a need to experience on several aspects of management. The aim of this study is to report a series of 33 cases of osteosarcoma involving either mandible or maxilla. The clinical, radiological and histopathological features of our cases have usually been non-specific and the most frequent provisional diagnosis were "benign fibroosseous lesion, abnormal mass, giant cell granuloma and benign bone tumor". This non-specific presentation of osteosarcomas of the jaws is compatible with those reported previously. A combined clinical, radiological and pathological study is essential in arriving at the correct diagnosis.