Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCauses and Risk FactorsDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes and Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Osteosarcoma is a rare type ofbone cancerthat typically affects the long bones in the body, such as those in the arms and legs.
The most common affected areas are the femur (thigh), tibia (shin), and humerus (upper arm) bones. The cancerous cells often develop near the ends of the bones.
Although this cancer can occur in young children and older adults, it most often affects teenagers and young adults. The average age at the time of diagnosis is 15 years old, and approximately 75% of osteosarcoma patients are under 25 years old.
The age of onset is thought to be related to the growth spurts that adolescents experience. If caught early before osteosarcoma metastasizes (spreads), there is a 70% survival rate for osteosarcoma.
In this article, you will learn more about osteosarcoma, including signs and symptoms to watch for, how the cancer is diagnosed, and what treatment options are available.
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The most common symptom of osteosarcoma is bone pain at the site of the tumor, which often develops around the knee or the upper arm. The pain may worsen at night and after physical activity. Additional symptoms of osteosarcoma include the following:
There is no known cause of osteosarcoma, but there are a number of risk factors that may increase your chances of developing the disease, including the following:
If your doctor suspects you have osteosarcoma, he or she will first ask questions about your symptoms, your health history, and your family health history. The doctor will also do a thorough physical examination to look for lumps near the bones and any other indicators of irregular growths.
Before making a diagnosis, your doctor will likely recommend you for more tests to confirm the presence of cancer and see if cancer has spread into other areas of the body. These tests may include the following:
If you or a loved one are diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a team of bone cancer specialists will work with you to develop a treatment plan that optimizes your chance of survival. Depending on the size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread,treatment optionsmay include the following:
If osteosarcoma has not spread to other parts of the body, especially to the lungs, the survival rate after five years is approximately 70%. If the cancer has spread, the survival rate drops to 30%–50%. Recurrence can happen, typically within 18 months after treatment. The prognosis, or forecast, for osteosarcoma depends on a number of factors, including the following:
If you or a loved one receives a diagnosis of osteosarcoma, it is natural to feel scared, angry, worried, and upset. During this time, it’s important to reach out to friends and family members and build a support system for you to lean on throughout your cancer journey.
The treatment and recovery for this disease can be long and difficult and especially frustrating for young patients. Make a point to seek additional help through a support group or a professional therapist, who can help you navigate the complex emotions that come up throughout treatment and recovery. Maintaining a positive outlook has been shown to improve recovery outcomes.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Osteosarcoma.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy and other drugs for chemotherapy.American Cancer Society.Surgery for osteosarcoma.American Cancer Society.Radiation therapy for osteosarcoma.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Osteosarcoma.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy and other drugs for chemotherapy.American Cancer Society.Surgery for osteosarcoma.American Cancer Society.Radiation therapy for osteosarcoma.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cleveland Clinic.Osteosarcoma.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy and other drugs for chemotherapy.American Cancer Society.Surgery for osteosarcoma.American Cancer Society.Radiation therapy for osteosarcoma.
Cleveland Clinic.Osteosarcoma.
American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy and other drugs for chemotherapy.
American Cancer Society.Surgery for osteosarcoma.
American Cancer Society.Radiation therapy for osteosarcoma.
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