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Diagnosing Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma accounts for 35% of primary bone malignancies and is considered the
most common type of malignant bone cancer. It is also the sixth most common type
of cancer in children. Children are more susceptible when they are at their peak
for growth (growth spurts). Boys are more likely to have osteosarcoma than
girls.
Symptoms
Patients of osteosacrcoma usually have pain in the affected area, which can
become worst at night. Affected bones are usually the longer ones (such as the
bones of the leg, or the upper arm bones).
In cases where the tumor is large, a localized swelling may be seen. In
addition, the affected bone may be more fragile than other bones and may result
in fracture more easily.
Diagnosis
The first step to diagnosing osteosarcoma is by an x-ray. Other scans are often
ordered as well such as a Pet scan, bone scan or an MRI. Final diagnosis is
usually done by way of a surgical biopsy, whereby the surgeon removes a small
tissue sample for observation under a microscope.
Treatment
Current standard treatment is to use neoadjuvant chemotherapy (chemotherapy
given before surgery) followed by surgical resection. The percentage of tumor
cell necrosis (cell death) seen in the tumor after surgery gives an idea of the
prognosis and also lets the oncologist know if the chemotherapy regime should be
altered after surgery.
Despite chemotherapy's success osteosarcoma still has one of the lowest survival
rates for pediatric cancer. However, there is some promising new treatments
emerging using new chemotherapy drugs. Other research is focused on determining
the role of growth factors in the development of osteosarcoma.
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