Osteosarcoma Overview
Learn About Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma is a very rare type of cancerous bone tumor that usually develops in teenagers and young adults. It often occurs when a teen is growing rapidly.
Osteogenic sarcoma; Bone tumor - osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer in children. Average age at diagnosis is 15. Boys and girls are just as likely to develop this tumor until the late teens, after which it occurs more often in boys. Osteosarcoma is also common in people over age 60.
The cause is not known. In some cases, osteosarcoma runs in families. At least one gene has been linked to an increased risk. This gene is also associated with familial retinoblastoma. This is a cancer of the eye that occurs in children.
Osteosarcoma tends to occur in the bones of the:
- Shin (near the knee)
- Thigh (near the knee)
- Upper arm (near the shoulder)
Osteosarcoma occurs most commonly in large bones in the area of bone with the fastest growth rate. However, it can occur in any bone.
The first symptom is usually bone pain near a joint. This symptom may be overlooked, especially in young people, because of other more common causes of joint pain.
Other symptoms may include any of the following:
- Bone fracture (may occur after a routine movement)
- Limitation of motion
- Limping (if the tumor is in the leg)
- Pain when lifting (if the tumor is in the arm)
- Tenderness, swelling, or redness at the site of the tumor
Treatment usually starts after a biopsy of the tumor is done.
Before surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy, [radiation] therapy, or both is usually given. This can shrink the tumor and make surgery easier. It may also kill any cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body.
Surgery is used after chemotherapy to remove any remaining tumor. In most cases, surgery can remove the tumor while saving the affected limb. This is called limb-sparing surgery. In rare cases, more extensive surgery (such as amputation) is necessary.
State Of Mississippi - University Of Mississippi Medical Center
Jennifer Barr is an Orthopedics provider in Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. Barr and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Osteosarcoma. Her top areas of expertise are Ewing Sarcoma, Bone Tumor, Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Osteochondroma, and Hip Replacement.
Robert Hamilton is an Oncologist in Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. Hamilton and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Osteosarcoma. His top areas of expertise are Neuroendocrine Tumor, Laryngeal Cancer, Bone Tumor, Endoscopy, and Pancreatectomy. Dr. Hamilton is currently accepting new patients.
State Of Mississippi - University Of Mississippi Medical Center
John Henegan is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. Henegan and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Osteosarcoma. His top areas of expertise are Familial Prostate Cancer, Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Clear Cell Sarcoma, WT1-Related Wilms Tumor Syndromes, and Bone Marrow Aspiration. Dr. Henegan is currently accepting new patients.
You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you and your family not feel alone.
If the tumor has not spread to the lungs (pulmonary metastasis), long-term survival rates are better. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the outlook is worse. However, there is still a chance of cure with effective treatment.
Complications may include:
- Limb removal
- Spread of cancer to the lungs
- Side effects of chemotherapy
Contact your provider if you or your child has persistent bone pain, tenderness, or swelling.
Summary: This is a pediatric basket study to investigate the safety and efficacy of afamitresgene autoleucel in HLA-A\*02 eligible and MAGE-A4 positive subjects aged 2-21 years of age with advanced cancers
Summary: This study is a Phase 1/1b clinical trial that aims to determine the Maximally Tolerated Dose of Losartan and Sunitinib Combination Therapy. Patients will first be accrued to the Dose Escalation phase of the study, using a 3+3 design. Medication dosages will increase until a maximally tolerated dose is found. Patients will then be accrued to the Dose Expansion phase of the trial, where efficacy of...
Published Date: October 16, 2022
Published By: Mark Levin, MD, Hematologist and Oncologist, Monsey, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 05/01/2023.
Anderson ME, DuBois SG, Gebhardt MC. Sarcomas of bone. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 89.
National Cancer Institute website. Osteosarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/bone/hp/osteosarcoma-treatment-pdq. Updated April 5, 2023. Accessed May 1, 2023.