Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant tumor in children and young adults. The incidence increases steadily with age, rising more dramatically in adolescence in correspondence with growth spurts that occur during adolescence.

Causes of osteosarcoma

The exact cause of osteosarcoma is unknown, but certain genetic mutations and conditions may increase the risk of developing it. Past treatment with radiotherapy or anticancer drugs called alkylating agents can increase the risk as well.

However, having one or more of these risk factors does not mean that a person will definitely get osteosarcoma.

Symptoms of osteosarcoma

Pain and swelling in the affected limb, increasing at night and unresponsive to local analgesics
Limitation of joint movement if the tumor arises in a region close to a joint
Unexplained bone fractures

Diagnosis of osteosarcoma

It is diagnosed by taking an x-ray of the bone and performing a biopsy. Proper planning of the biopsy with careful consideration of the future surgeries is important so as not to jeopardize the subsequent treatment. An MRI of the affected limb is needed to evaluate the local spread of the tumor, while a CT scan of the chest is needed to evaluate the presence of lung spread. A bone scan is also done to rule out spread of the disease to other bones of the body.

Treatment of osteosarcoma at KHCC

Chemotherapy is the optimum treatment for this type of disease, followed by surgery to remove the tumor without having to amputate the affected limb. In cases of lung metastasis, surgical intervention may be needed to remove the affected lung lesions.