Osteosarcoma: Symptoms, What Is It & Treatment

Dr.Arun Giri, 5 mins read

An osteosarcoma is a form of cancer that affects bones. It can occur at any age; however, most cases happen during adolescence, childhood, and early adulthood. For young individuals, osteosarcoma can grow within the leg or arm bones. In older individuals, it is more likely to affect the shoulder, pelvis, or hip.

Osteosarcoma may cause various symptoms, including persistent bone pain and swelling. Patients who exhibit these signs need to seek out a diagnosis. Treatment of the disease at its earlier stages can significantly improve the chances of complete recovery.

How prevalent is osteosarcoma?

Between 2500-4000 new osteosarcoma cases are discovered annually throughout India.

Osteosarcoma is responsible for (5-11) % of all childhood cancers. This is by far the most frequent bone tumor found in children. Osteosarcoma is adolescents' third most frequent cancer (after brain tumors and lymphomas).

Symptoms

The signs of osteosarcoma can vary based on the site of cancer. The most common symptoms of cancer are:

• Bone fractures
• Bone pain (in the course of movement, at rest, or during lifting heavy objects)
• Redness
• Swelling
• Limitations on joint motion
• The limping

How much bone pain you feel is different. Children may experience an ache that is not painful or an intense pain that keeps them up at midnight. If your child is suffering from bone pain, or if you observe any of these symptoms, check their muscles. If osteosarcoma is the cause, muscles of the arm or leg that is cancerous could appear leaner than the muscles on the other limb.

The symptoms of osteosarcoma may resemble growing pains - leg pain due to average bone growth. But, the growing pains usually cease in the teenage years. See a doctor if your child is suffering from persistent swelling or pain in the bone that has not stopped after the initial growth spurts or if the discomfort is causing significant issues.

Causes

Researchers aren't able to fully decipher the causes of osteosarcoma. However, specific genetic variants are linked to certain syndromes that are believed to increase the disease's chance. The most common of these are:

• Bloom syndrome
• Werner syndrome
• Rothmund-Thompson syndrome
• Li-Fraumeni syndrome

Specific genes are also linked with the spread and development of osteosarcoma. Researchers have discovered that these genes can aid doctors in diagnosing osteosarcoma and identify those more likely to develop metastases.

Radiation therapy can also raise the chance of developing osteosarcoma. People who have undergone treatment for a different health issue in childhood are at greater risk of developing osteosarcoma in the later stage.

If you have any of these risk elements listed above might want to talk with an experienced doctor about the risk factors.

Osteosarcoma Diagnosis

• Biopsy - The doctor will collect tiny pieces of tissue or bone from a swollen or painful region. They can use the needle or create an incision within your skin, referred to as an open or surgical biopsy. 

 A specialist will examine the biopsy under a microscope. This test can reveal the presence of cancerous bone cells or cancerous cells that may have expanded into muscles or other regions.

• Medical history, as well as a physical examination. The doctor will inquire about your health and family medical history. They'll search for unusual lumps in your bones.
• Imaging tests - X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, bone scans, and PET scans may reveal unusual bone changes that could indicate osteosarcoma. They may also show regions where the tumor might be spreading.

Treatment

The most effective treatment for osteosarcoma is determined by the stage and the severity of the condition. The most commonly used treatment options are listed below.

Surgery

In most instances, surgeons can save a limb with cancer. They can remove the tumor and the surrounding bone, and then replace it with an artificial bone.

The surgical procedure is an effective option if an osteosarcoma tumor is localized within a specific body part.

In most instances, surgeons attempt to remove a tumor without permanently damaging or affecting the affected body part. They might employ bone grafting or reconstruction to enhance the appearance or function of the body component.

In some cases, it may require amputation to remove the entire tumor. However, most of the time, surgeons attempt to remove the tumor while keeping the affected limb intact.

Chemotherapy

The treatment involves drugs to reduce and eliminate cancerous cells. Chemotherapy is usually administered before surgery. The treatment duration for chemotherapy depends on how much cancer spreads to different body regions. 

For instance, if cancer in your child hasn't spread, their doctor may suggest six months of treatment before surgery. When your child is finished with chemotherapy surgery, will be utilized to eliminate all remaining tumors.

Therapy with radiation

Radiation therapy directs high-energy particles or rays at cancer. This kills cancerous cells or alters the DNA of these cells in a manner that stops their expansion and division.

Osteosarcoma tumors are resistant to the effects of radiation. Therefore, radiation therapy doesn't have a significant role in treating osteosarcoma. However, doctors might consider it in cases where complete surgical removal of the cancer is not feasible.

Recurrence

Bone cancer may recur even after treatment and surgery. Your child may require regular follow-up CT scans, bone scans, and radiographs to identify new cancerous tumors.

Complications

The complications of osteosarcoma and their treatment are:

Long-term treatment side effects

The aggressive treatment required to treat osteosarcoma may produce significant side effects. Your health care provider will assist you in managing the side effects that can occur while you receive treatment. They will also give you an inventory of potential adverse effects to be aware of throughout the years following treatment.

Amputation of limbs and limbs

Surgery that eliminates the tumor and frees the limb can be used as often as feasible. However, sometimes it's necessary to take out a portion of the affected part to be able to eliminate all cancer. Utilizing the artificial leg (prosthesis) requires time, patience, and practice. Experts can help you adapt.

Cancer that spreads (metastasizes)

Osteosarcoma may spread from where it began to other regions, making the treatment and recovery process more challenging. Osteosarcoma that spreads more often expands to the lungs and onto other bones.

Conclusion

Osteosarcoma is a rare bone condition that affects people at any age, but it primarily affects young children. Patients with osteosarcoma can suffer from constant bone pain, growths, and swellings.

If diagnosed early and treated, patients with osteosarcoma can have an extremely high likelihood of regaining their health. Anyone suffering from osteosarcoma-related symptoms should see a physician.

The treatment for osteosarcoma usually involves a combination of chemotherapy and surgery. The treatments have been improved significantly in the last few decades, and additional research is underway to enhance osteosarcoma treatment further.

Also Read: Cancer prevention 6 tips to reduce your risk