What is osteosarcoma?
Osteosarcoma (also called osteogenic sarcoma) is the most common type of cancer that starts in the bones. The cancer cells in these tumors look like early forms of bone cells that normally help make new bone tissue, but the bone tissue in an osteosarcoma is not as strong as that of normal bones.
What is the most common site of osteosarcoma?
The upper arm bone close to the shoulder (proximal humerus) is the next most common site. Still, osteosarcoma can develop in any bone, including the bones of the pelvis (hips), shoulder, and jaw.
Can osteosarcoma grow on the upper arm?
In children and teens, osteosarcoma often happens at the ends of long bones, where bone grows fastest. Most tumors develop around the knee, in either the lower part of the thighbone or the upper part of the shinbone. They also may grow in the upper arm bone close to the shoulder.
Can osteosarcoma grow in the shin bone?
Most tumors develop around the knee, either in the lower part of the thighbone or the upper part of the shinbone. They also may grow in the upper arm bone close to the shoulder. But osteosarcoma can develop in any bone in your body, especially in older adults.
Is osteosarcoma the same as bone cancer?
Osteosarcoma, the most common type of bone cancer, often starts in the long bones — the legs or the arms — but it can occur in any bone. Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that begins in the cells that form bones.
What is the most common type of osteosarcoma?
The most common subtype of osteosarcoma is conventional central osteosarcoma. The other subtypes are much less common. They each account for less than 5% of all osteosarcomas.
Is osteosarcoma bone cancer curable?
Today, about 3 out of 4 people who have osteosarcoma can be cured if the cancer hasn't spread to other parts of the body. Almost everyone who is treated with limb-sparing surgery ends up with that arm or leg working well. Many people who have osteosarcoma will need physical therapy for several months after surgery.
Which type of osteosarcoma has better prognosis?
As for tumor location, several studies have reported the consistent conclusion that osteosarcomas of the extremities have a better survival than the axial osteosarcomas [12,13]. However, others have described a lack of association between tumor site and prognosis [14].
What is the main cause of osteosarcoma?
What causes osteosarcoma? The exact cause of osteosarcoma is not known, but it is believed to be due to DNA mutations inside bone cells—either inherited or acquired after birth.
How long does it take for osteosarcoma to spread?
The vast majority of osteosarcomas are so-called "random cases", where no specific causes or predisposing risk factors can be identified. In young people, the development of the tumour appears to be in some way related to periods in life with rapid bone growth, hence the average for tumour development is 14-16 years.
What is the life expectancy of someone with osteosarcoma?
Survival rates can give you an idea of what percentage of people with the same type and stage of cancer are still alive a certain amount of time (usually 5 years) after they were diagnosed....5-year relative survival rates for osteosarcoma.SEER stage5-year relative survival rateDistant26%All SEER stages combined60%2 more rows•Mar 3, 2022
Is osteosarcoma a death sentence?
If the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, the 5-year survival rate is 38%. The 5-year survival rate of people with osteosarcoma is 60%. If the cancer is diagnosed at the localized stage, the 5-year survival rate is 74%.
Can you remove osteosarcoma?
Patients with low-grade, resectable osteosarcomas can often be cured with surgery alone (without chemo). However, if the tumor removed by surgery is found to be high grade on lab tests, chemo might then be recommended.
How many cycles of chemo does it take for osteosarcoma?
A commonly recommended course of osteosarcoma chemotherapy regimen consists of approximately six five-week cycles, each of which includes: The administration of a combination of osteosarcoma chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatin and doxorubicin; ifosfamide and etoposide; or ifosfamide, cisplatin and epirubicin.
How many stages does osteosarcoma have?
In most primary bone sarcomas, there are 5 stages: stage 0 (zero) and stages I through IV (1 through 4). The stage provides a common way of describing the cancer, so doctors can work together to plan the best treatments.
What are the chances of surviving osteosarcoma?
If osteosarcoma is diagnosed and treated before it has spread outside the area where it started, the general 5-year survival rate for people of all ages is 74%. If the cancer has spread outside of the bones and into surrounding tissues or organs and/or the regional lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate is 66%.
Where does osteosarcoma start?
In children, teens, and young adults, osteosarcoma usually starts in areas where the bone is growing quickly, such as near the ends of the leg or arm bones: Most tumors develop in the bones around the knee, either in the lower part of the thigh bone (distal femur) or the the upper part of the shinbone (proximal tibia).
What is a high grade osteosarcoma?
Other high-grade osteosarcomas include: Pagetoid: a tumor that develops in someone with Paget disease of the bone. Extraskeletal: a tumor that starts in a part of the body other than a bone (but still makes bone tissue) Post-radiation: a tumor that starts in a bone that had once been exposed to radiation.
What age group is osteosarcoma most common?
Most osteosarcomas occur in children, teens, and young adults. Teens are the most commonly affected age group, but osteosarcoma can develop at any age. (For information about the differences between childhood cancers and adult cancers, see Cancer in Children .)
What is the most common type of cancer that starts in the bones?
Osteosarcoma (also called osteogenic sarcoma) is the most common type of cancer that starts in the bones. The cancer cells in these tumors look like early forms of bone cells that normally help make new bone tissue, but the bone tissue in an osteosarcoma is not as strong as that in normal bones. Most osteosarcomas occur in children, teens, ...
What is the fastest growing osteosarcoma?
High-grade osteosarcomas. These are the fastest growing types of osteosarcoma. When seen with a microscope, they do not look like normal bone, and many of the cancer cells are in the process of dividing into new cells. Most osteosarcomas that occur in children and teens are high grade.
What is the cancer that develops from cartilage?
These include: Chondrosarcoma (cancer that develops from cartilage) Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) of bone, previously known as malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of bone. Fibrosarcoma of bone. Chordoma. Malignant giant cell tumor of bone.
What is the second most common bone cancer in children?
Ewing tumors ( Ewing sarcomas) are the second most common bone cancer in children. They are described in Ewing Family of Tumors. Most other types of bone cancers are usually found in adults and are uncommon in children. These include:
Where does osteosarcoma start?
Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that begins in the cells that form bones. Osteosarcoma is most often found in the long bones — more often the legs, but sometimes the arms — but it can start in any bone. In very rare instances, it occurs in soft tissue outside the bone. Osteosarcoma tends to occur in teenagers and young adults, ...
How is osteosarcoma treated?
Treatment usually involves chemotherapy, surgery and, sometimes, radiation therapy . Doctors select treatment options based on where the osteosarcoma starts, the size of the cancer, the type and grade of the osteosarcoma , and whether the cancer has spread beyond the bone. Treatment innovations for osteosarcoma have greatly improved ...
What to do if your child has osteosarcoma?
Make an appointment with your child's doctor if your child has any persistent signs and symptoms that worry you. Osteosarcoma symptoms are similar to many more-common conditions, such as sports injuries, so your doctor may investigate those causes first. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.
Can osteosarcoma spread to other bones?
Osteosarcoma can spread from where it started to other areas, making treatment and recovery more difficult. Osteosarcoma that spreads most often spreads to the lungs and to other bones. Adapting to limb amputation. Surgery that removes the tumor and spares the limb is used whenever possible.
Can you use an artificial limb to remove cancer?
Surgery that removes the tumor and spares the limb is used whenever possible. But sometimes it's necessary to remove part of the affected limb in order to remove all of the cancer. Learning to use an artificial limb (prosthesis) will take time, practice and patience. Experts can help you adapt.
Can osteosarcoma be controlled with chemotherapy?
The aggressive chemotherapy needed to control osteosarcoma can cause substantial side effects, both in the short and long term. Your health care team can help you manage the side effects that happen during treatment and provide you with a list of side effects to watch for in the years after treatment.
What is osteosarcoma cancer?
Osteosarcoma, also called osteogenic sarcoma, is a kind of bone cancer. It happens when the cells that grow new bone form a cancerous tumor. Treatment -- chemotherapy and surgery to take out the tumor -- is usually successful when the disease is diagnosed early, before it can spread. Anyone can have osteosarcoma, ...
Where does osteosarcoma start?
In children and teens, osteosarcoma often happens at the ends of long bones, where bone grows fastest. Most tumors start around the knee, in either the lower part of the thighbone or the upper part of the shinbone. They also may grow in the upper arm bone close to the shoulder.
What does a specialist look for in an osteosarcoma test?
A specialist looks at the sample under a microscope. This test may show cancer cells in your bone or cancer cells that have spread to muscles or other areas. Osteosarcoma Treatment. Treatment depends on several things, including where the tumor is, how fast it's growing, and whether it’s spread.
What are the side effects of osteosarcoma?
Osteosarcoma and its treatment can lead to complications including: Bone fractures. Wound infection and slow healing. Problems with a donor bone graft or prosthesis. Chemotherapy side effects such as anemia, bleeding, kidney or liver damage, hearing loss, and a higher risk of other cancers. Osteosarcoma Outlook.
How do you know if you have osteosarcoma?
Osteosarcoma Symptoms. Warning signs include: Swelling or lumps around bones or the ends of bones. Bone or joint pain or soreness. This pain may come and go for months. Broken bones without a clear reason. Pain at night. Pain after exercise. Limping.
What are the three subtypes of osteosarcoma?
Osteosarcoma Subtypes. Doctors divide osteosarcoma into three subtypes, based on what the cells look like under a microscope: High-grade osteosarcoma. This is the fastest-growing type, with cells that look unusual. Most osteosarcomas in children and teens are high-grade. The most common kinds are:
What is the name of the eye cancer that is related to your genes?
Health conditions tied to your genes, like Paget’s disease of the bone, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, Bloom syndrome, Werner syndrome, Diamond-Blackfan anemia, or a type of eye cancer called hereditary retinoblastoma. Osteosarcoma Diagnosis. Your appointment may include: A medical history and physical exam.
Where does osteosarcoma originate?
Osteosarcoma is a very aggressive cancer of the bone. Its malignant tumors most often originate in limb bones of the appendicular skeleton near the border of shoulder, wrist or knee, 3 particularly in large and giant breeds of dogs. Osteosarcoma can also occur within the bones of the axial skeleton such as the skull, spine or ribs, however, tumors at these sites are less common, grow much more slowly, and are less likely to spread to other parts of the body. 10 This spreading is called metastasis.
What is appendicular osteosarcoma?
Appendicular osteosarcoma is an aggressive and invasive cancer that destroys bone locally. 11 If osteosarcoma is affecting your dog’s limb, you may have observed a local firm swelling, particularly near joints. You may also have noticed that your dog has developed a lameness which is persistent and does not resolve with painkillers. 1
What is the most common bone cancer in dogs?
There are a variety of canine bone cancers, however, osteosarcoma is by far the most common and represents about 85% of the skeletal malignancies in dogs. This form of bone cancer is found mainly in the limb bones which are part of the appendicular skeleton, but it can also occur in bones of the spine, skull, rib and pelvis which comprise the axial skeleton. Although there is a hereditary basis for osteosarcoma based on breed and familial incidence, the major predisposing factor is size of the dog, with large and giant breeds being particularly susceptible to the disease. In addition, males are more likely to develop the disease compared to females. Osteosarcoma has been detected in dogs, cats and humans; however, dogs are four times more likely to develop this type of bone cancer compared to humans.
How to treat osteosarcoma in dogs?
Options for treatment include combining aggressive modes of therapy such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Treatment of canine osteosarcoma has one of two goals—relief of pain and lameness or curative intent. 3 There are two common ways to address the pain— amputating the limb and palliative radiotherapy which is usually combined with periodic bisphosphonate infusion treatments. 5 Most dogs recover quite well from these procedures and are running and playing in a very short time. However, there is no ‘best’ way to treat bone cancer. The most effective management of canine osteosarcoma involves incorporation of a multimodal therapy to address the primary tumor and metastatic disease. 11 Listed below are options that may be right for you and your pet.
What is the axial skeleton of a dog?
Osteosarcoma that occurs in the axial skeleton, which includes skull, ribs, vertebrae and pelvis, most often develops in small, middle-aged dogs. Compared to growths in the appendicular skeleton, tumors developing in the axial skeleton grow much more slowly; however, this leads to a more insidious course for the disease. The tumor may be present for as long as two years before it is formally diagnosed. An exception is osteosarcoma of the rib, which tends to be more aggressive than other axial osteosarcomas. 3
Why do dogs have osteosarcoma?
The causes of osteosarcoma in dogs are not well understood. However, since osteosarcoma tumors are frequently found near growth plates , it is speculated that factors affecting growth rates , such as diets that promote rapid growth in puppies , may increase the susceptibility at these sites during adulthood. Osteosarcoma tumors are most likely to occur in limbs, particularly forelimbs which bear most of the body weight and these appendicular tumors represent 75 to 85% of skeletal malignancies compared to the less-common axial cancer which occurs in other bones such as ribs and skull. 3
How to treat bone cancer in dogs?
Radiation therapy delivered by a linear accelerator can be used to treat cancer-related bone pain. 1 This treatment is for alleviating pain and is not curative. The intent is to provide a good quality of life and to provide pain relief when amputation is not an option. Radiation therapy is usually combined with pain medications and is generally effective in reducing symptoms quickly in the majority of dogs and without significant side effects. However, because anesthesia is required for the procedure, there are associated risks. Some dogs develop dryness and redness of skin and hair loss in the area to which radiation is delivered. This condition is referred to as radiation dermatitis and looks like a sunburn. Applying a veterinarian prescribed topical cream can help with this problem. 3
How rare is osteosarcoma?
The classic osteosarcoma is a rare (0.2% of all malignant tumours) highly malignant tumour, with an estima ted incidence of 3 cases/million population/year. Osteosarcoma arises predominantly in the long bones and rarely in the soft tissues. The age at presentation ranges from 10 to 25 years of age.
Which skeleton is most affected by osteosarcoma?
The axial skeleton is rarely affected, more frequently in adults than in children and adolescents. Femur, tibia and humerus account for about 85% of extremity tumours, while less than 1% are found in hands and feet bones. In the long bones, osteosarcoma usually originate in the metaphysis.
What is the name of the disease that is characterized by the direct formation of immature bone or osteoid
Disease name and synonyms. Osteosarcoma. Osteogenic sarcoma. Definition and diagnostic criteria. Osteosarcoma is a primary malignant tumour of the skeleton characterised by the direct formation of immature bone or osteoid tissue by the tumour cells. More rarely osteosarcoma may arise in the soft tissue.
What is the only environmental agent that can cause osteosarcoma?
The only environmental agent known to cause osteosarcoma in human is ionising radiation [4]. Radiation is implicated in approximately 2% of osteosarcomas. An increased incidence of radio-induced osteosarcoma is likely to be seen with a longer survival after primary irradiation.
Can osteogenic sarcoma be histologically confirmed?
However, in a young patient with a classic osteogenic sarcoma the diagnos is of pseudo metastases should be always histologically confirmed, following the removal of the lesion from the lung. Even if the nodules disappear completely after preoperative chemotherapy, the patient should undergo a thoracotomy.
OVERVIEW
Most primary bone tumors in dogs are malignant, and approximately 85 % are osteosarcomas. Osteosarcomas are highly aggressive tumors, characterized by local invasion/destruction and distant metastasis (spread to other organs).
CLINICAL SIGNS
The signs associated with a bone tumor may be nonspecific and depend on the primary site. Tumors in the limbs often cause various degrees of lameness and pain, and a firm swelling may become evident as the tumor size increases.
DIAGNOSIS AND WORKUP (STAGING)
Initial evaluation of a dog with a suspected bone tumor often includes: complete physical exam, blood tests, radiographs (both the primary site and the lungs), and a biopsy. The biopsy can be incisional or excisional. An incisional biopsy is performed for diagnosis only. A small sample of the tumor is removed to determine the specific tumor type.
TREATMENT
As stated above, the treatment recommendations for bone tumors depend on multiple factors, and a complete physical exam and work-up may be necessary to accurately determine the most appropriate treatment for an individual dog.
ONGOING CLINICAL TRIALS FOR OSTEOSARCOMA
The University of Illinois Cancer Care Clinic recently secured resources to initiate a funded clinical trial involving osteosarcoma (OSA), by far the most common primary bone tumor in dogs.
CLINICAL TRIAL RESULTS
Cisplatin and doxorubicin combination chemotherapy for the treatment of canine osteosarcoma: a pilot study.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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Where is osteosarcoma pain?
Pain at the site of the tumor in the bone is the most common symptom of osteosarcoma. The most common sites for these tumors in younger people are around the knee or in the upper arm, but they can occur in other bones as well. At first, the pain might not be constant and might be worse at night. The pain often increases with activity ...
Can a tumor in the leg cause a limp?
The pain often increases with activity and might result in a limp if the tumor is in a leg bone. Swelling in the area is another common symptom, although it might not occur until later. Depending on where the tumor is, it might be possible to feel a lump or mass.
Does osteosarcoma cause fractures?
Although osteosarcoma might weaken the bone it develops in, fractures (breaks) are not common. Exceptions are rare telangiectatic osteosarcomas, which tend to weaken bones more than other forms of osteosarcoma and are more likely to cause breaks where the tumor is.
