Osteosarcoma: What Is It And How Is It Treated?
Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that develops from cells responsible for building and creating bones (these cells are called osteoblasts). In fact, it is the most common type of bone cancer.
Although it is a rare cancer, it represents 3% of childhood cancers. It usually affects long bones, such as those in the legs, but it can actually form in any bone.
Osteosarcoma usually appears in adolescents and children, although it can develop at any time in life. Treatment and prognosis vary greatly depending on the size, location and grade of the tumor.
The big problem with this cancer is that it can metastasize to other organs and can also be fatal. Therefore, in this article we will explain everything you should know about its development and evolution.
What is osteosarcoma?
As we’ve already mentioned, osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor that develops from bone-forming cells. These cells are called osteoblasts.
They are responsible for the continual growth and renewal of bones. Therefore, it is more common for this cancer to affect adolescents and children, as it is the stage when these cells are most active.
The most affected site by osteosarcoma is the knee. Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid it. It can only be treated with an early diagnosis, when it has not caused serious damage to the area or when it has not migrated to other organs (metastasis).
What symptoms does it cause?
Osteosarcoma manifests itself with very nonspecific symptoms that can be confused with other health problems, such as a sports injury. For this reason, it is important to see a doctor if you have any questions.
First, osteosarcoma usually causes pain in a bone or joint. Also, there may be a swollen area near a bone. In some cases, what happens is a spontaneous injury or a fracture in the bone.
This cancer usually affects the leg or arm, as, as we said before, it appears in the long bones of the body. When it causes pain, it can get worse with exercise.
In fact, this pain can occur at night and prevent the person suffering from the problem from sleeping well. For children, the most obvious sign is that they begin to limp or have difficulty walking.
What are the risk factors for osteosarcoma?
The causes of osteosarcoma are still unknown. However, some factors have been identified that increase the risk of suffering from this problem. Some of them are:
- Being a male teenager.
- Have certain genetic disorders such as hereditary retinoblastoma or Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Retinoblastoma is a malignant tumor that develops in the retina, while Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a genetic mutation.
- Having been treated with radiation therapy for another cancer.
How is it diagnosed and what is the treatment?
To diagnose osteosarcoma, the doctor first needs a good medical history of the patient and a physical exam. In addition, additional tests, such as radiography or computed tomography, are often necessary.
In some cases, a biopsy is performed to analyze the tumor in the laboratory. This will determine its degree and allow you to define the treatment. Other tests will be done whether the cancer has metastasized or not.
The treatment of osteosarcoma is complex and usually requires surgery. The aim is to eliminate all cancer cells and avoid as much as possible incapacitation of the affected area. However, in some cases, limb amputation is required.
Chemotherapy is also used. On the other hand, radiotherapy does not seem to be effective against this type of cancer. Currently, numerous clinical studies are underway to achieve a more effective treatment for osteosarcoma.
Conclusion
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer and unfortunately it often affects young people. Symptoms are very unspecific, so it is important to be aware of any pain or injury and to consult a doctor.
