Osteosarcoma Chemotherapy

osteosarcoma in children is a malignant form of bone cancer and the sixth most common form of cancer among children under 15 years. The disease affects more than 500 adults and 400 children each year, with a survival rate of two thirds.

Causes of Osteosarcoma

Unfortunately, the causes of osteosarcoma are not known. Theories exist as to environmental triggers such as fluoride in drinking water or exposure to radium.

Symptoms associated with osteosarcoma

In general, the most common side effect associated with osteosarcoma is pain, often from the location of the tumor. large tumors, especially those on the knees, may appear as a swelling. In addition, because the affected bone is generally weaker, it is more likely to break.

Over 50% of childhood cases of osteosarcoma occur around the knee area.

Risk Factors

Age

The risk of developing osteosarcoma peaks during the growth period of adolescence. Some researchers think there may be a correlation between bone development and the rapid growth of a child's risk for cancer development.

The sex of the patient

Osteosarcoma most commonly occurs in men and is seen twice as often in young women.

Exposure to radiation

If a patient has undergone radiation treatment for cancer or other conditions, they have a higher risk of contracting the disease.

Additional bone diseases

Patients who have suffered from other bone diseases such as Paget's disease of bone, have an increased risk of being diagnosed with osteosarcoma. In general, however, this occurs in adults and is rare with children.

Genetic

osteosarcoma in children is often more prevalent among children with certain rare cancer syndromes are hereditary - such as retinoblastoma or Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

Types of osteosarcoma

There are three subtypes of osteosarcoma that can be recognized by how they appear on the X-ray microscope. Some of these subtypes have a better prognosis than others.

The three subtypes of osteosarcoma are high-quality, intermediate and low grade. High quality development is a classic disease characterized by the formation in small cells. periosteum is intermediate grade, which means the membrane around the bone is affected. Low grade is also periosteum, but also includes low intrasseous grade.

How is osteosarcoma treated

Osteosarcoma is sometimes treated with surgery - how the affected limbs or part of the afflicted limb is amputated. Usually, the patient or patient's parents choose to use the same surgeon for both biopsy and surgical therapy.

Patients or parents of patients should consult their physician about the best way and the best way to eliminate cancer and save as much as possible using the arms or the affected leg as possible.

Despite the prevalence of surgery, most cases of childhood osteosarcoma are treated with chemotherapy in combination with surgery. There are a variety of drugs used in the programs of chemotherapy of osteosarcoma, with each dose determined by patient and disease.

A child with this condition - and the parents of that child have some very difficult decisions to make when presented with options of chemotherapy and surgery. They face the prospect of an amputation should certainly seek a second medical opinion before going forward.