Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone sarcoma that begins in cells called osteoblasts, which grow into new bones. This type of sarcoma typically affects teenagers and young adults but may also occur in children and older people.

Osteosarcoma usually develops in the long bones of your body, which include bones of the arms and legs. It seldom forms in the soft tissues surrounding the bones. The treatment of osteosarcoma may include chemotherapy and surgery to extract the tumor.

At Sarcoma Oncology Center, we use a multimodal treatment approach for osteosarcoma by collaborating with surgeons, pathologists, and radiation oncologists from prominent institutions.

Understanding Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is a malignant form of sarcoma. It is classified based on whether the tumor is localized or metastatic, where it spreads to other parts of the body.

Osteosarcoma is classified into three categories based on the tumor's location.

Intramedullary or central tumors develop within the bone.
Surface tumors form on the outer surface of the bone.
Extraskeletal tumors emerge outside the bone, typically in soft tissues.

Osteosarcoma is divided into three subtypes based on what the tumor cells look like under a microscope.

High-grade osteosarcoma is the fastest-growing type. The tumor cells in this subtype don't look like normal bone cells.
Intermediate-grade osteosarcoma is the least common subtype and is treated like low-grade osteosarcomas.
Low-grade osteosarcoma grows slowly. The tumor cells look more like regular bone cells.

Symptoms of Osteosarcoma

Symptoms of osteosarcoma most often start in the bone and can include:

Bone or joint pain
Swelling or lumps near a bone
Bone breaks for no known reason
Limping

Cause & Risk Factors of Osteosarcoma

The exact cause of osteosarcoma is not known. It is likely to develop due to genetics, DNA changes, or environmental factors.

The following factors may increase your risk of osteosarcoma:

Genetic health conditions, such as retinoblastoma, Bloom syndrome, and Werner syndrome
Other health issues with bones
Prior treatment with radiation therapy
Prior injury to the bone
Gender may play a role with men being at higher risk than women

Diagnosis of Osteosarcoma

Tests and procedures for the diagnosis of osteosarcoma may include:

Physical examination: Your doctor may perform a physical examination and ask for your medical history. They may also assess unusual lumps near any bones.
Blood tests: Your doctor may ask for blood tests to look for certain biochemical markers.
Bone scan: You may be asked to get a bone scan to look for the presence of tumor cells.
Imaging test: Imaging tests can be performed to find unusual changes in bones that may be signs of osteosarcoma. Imaging tests like MRI, CT scan, and PET scan can also reveal the nature of the tumor.
Biopsy: A biopsy is done by removing a sample tissue from the affected area. It helps identify the nature of the tumor cells.

Treatment of Osteosarcoma

Treatment of osteosarcoma is determined by several factors, including the tumor's location, its growth rate, and whether it has spread to other body parts.

Additionally, considerations such as your age and overall health are taken into account when devising a treatment plan. Treatment is most effective when osteosarcoma is diagnosed before the tumor spreads from the affected area to other bones, tissues, or organs.

The treatment of osteosarcoma may involve one or more of the following options:

Surgery: Surgery is performed to remove the tumor cells from the affected area. Further treatment may be needed to lower the risk of the return of the tumor or to kill any tumor cells that were not caught during surgery.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses medication to stop tumor growth or kill tumor cells. It can also be performed before or after the surgery.
Radiation therapy: This treatment method uses high-energy radiation rays to kill tumor cells or keep them from growing.
Clinical trial: Your oncologist may perform clinical trials to treat osteosarcoma when traditional treatment is not effective. Clinical trials use new studies and drugs for treatment.

Osteosarcoma in Children

Osteosarcoma typically occurs in teenagers and young adults and is very rarely seen in children under 5. It accounts for 2.4% of pediatric sarcoma cases.

Along with common symptoms like bone or joint pain and swelling or lumps near a bone, children may experience pain after playing or at night.

Treatment of osteosarcoma in children is planned by healthcare providers who are experts in treating cancer in children, called pediatric oncologists.

At Sarcoma Oncology Center, we might collaborate with the child’s pediatric oncologist to craft treatment plans for osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma Treatment at Sarcoma Oncology Center

While considering treatment for osteosarcoma, the approach depends on several factors, such as the stage of your cancer, the bone affected by the tumor, your age, and other medical conditions.

After treatment, you may need regular checkups with your oncologist. At the Sarcoma Oncology Center, we guide you through every step of your treatment journey.

At our office in Santa Monica, we design personalized and innovative plans for treating osteosarcoma.

To schedule a consultation, please call us at 310-552-9999 or request an appointment online.