Osteosarcoma

What is Osteosarcoma?

Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer and begins in the cells that forms bones. Osteosarcoma is usually found in long bones, primarily found in the legs, but can start in any bone in the body.

What causes Osteosarcoma? Who is affected?

Osteosarcoma is caused by an error in DNA or genetic code. There may be a link between the speed of a person’s growth spurt and tumor development, but this is still being investigated.

Children and teens are most affected by osteosarcoma, but it can sometimes be found in adults. It is most common in teenage boys that are going through growth spurts.

What are symptoms of Osteosarcoma?

Symptoms and signs of osteosarcoma might include:

• Swelling near a bone
• Bone and joint pain
• Bone injury or bone break for no clear reason

How is Osteosarcoma treated?

Treatment for Osteosarcoma has significantly improved over the years. Treatment usually includes surgery of the limbs and chemotherapy.

• Limb-sparing surgery (being able to save the limb and go back to most normal functions)
• Amputation (the removal of the affected area)
• Rotationplasty
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation (in select cases)