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Alternative names Return to top
Osteogenic sarcomaDefinition Return to top
Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor that usually develops during the period of rapid growth which occurs in adolescence as a teenager matures into an adult.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor in youth. The average age at diagnosis is 15. Boys and girls have a similar incidence of this tumor until late adolescence, at which time boys are more commonly affected.Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
Treatment Return to top
Prior to surgery, chemotherapy is given. This is strong medication, injected intravenously (into the vein) to make the tumor shrink. Surgery is then used to remove any remaining tumor, while attempting to spare the affected limb. Chemotherapy also treats any cancer cells which may have spread to other parts of the body.
Limb-saving surgery is usually possible, but more radical surgery (such as amputation) may be necessary for a permanent cure.
Common chemotherapy medicines include:
Support Groups Return to top
Association of Cancer Online Resources
www.acor.org
The National Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF)
www.nccf.org
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
In the absence of pulmonary metastasis (spread of the tumor to the lungs), long-term survival may reach 70%. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body besides the bone where it started, permanent cure is less likely, but can sometimes still be achieved.Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if bone pain, tenderness, or swelling occur. Update Date: 4/23/2004 Updated by: Samuel Blackman, M.D., Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |