CuraScript SD - What Is Osteosarcoma?

What Is Osteosarcoma?

Posted Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Did you know? Osteosarcoma accounts for about 3% of cancers that happen in children.

Most osteosarcomas occur in children, teens and young adults between 10 and 30.

01 | Introduction

Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that usually develops in the osteoblast cells that form bones. This is the most common type of cancer that starts in the bones. These cancer cells may appear to be regular bone cells, but they develop into tumors that create immature, irregular and diseased bone. Osteosarcoma can develop in any bone, but is most common in the long bones around the knee or upper arm where bones are growing quickly. Due to this, osteosarcoma tends to occur in children and young adults with rapidly growing bones.

02 | Causes

Osteosarcoma is thought to be caused by DNA mutations inside bone cells — either inherited or acquired after birth. Some risk factors that may increase the risk of developing this cancer are:

Teenage growth spurts
Gender
Exposure to radiation
Genetic factors
Certain bone diseases

03 | Symptoms

Pain in the affected bone is the most common symptom of osteosarcoma. While it may come and go at first, the pain will become constant over time. Other common symptoms include:

Swelling around the affected site
Increased pain with activity or lifting
A warm mass or lump that can be felt through the skin
Limited or decreased movement
Unexplained fever
Easily broken bone

04 | Treatments

Many cases of osteosarcoma are treated with a combination of chemotherapy and surgery, followed by more chemotherapy to reduce the chances of it coming back. Treatment options may vary depending on a number of factors including: