Pathophysiology of Osteocarsoma

Osteosarcoma occurs mainly in the metaphysic of the long bones. Most tumors arise in bones
involved with the knee joint at the distal end of the femur or proximal distal end of the tibia. As
atumor of the mesenchymal cells, osteosarcoma demonstrates production of osteiod tissue.
The tumor borders are distinct and merge into adjacent normal bone. The etiology is unknown.
Predisposing factors include, Age- (10-25), Gender-(male), Familyhistory, Teenage growth spurt,
Tall for age, Previous treatment with radiation, Benign &non-cancerous bone tumor, Lack of
exercise, Smoking and drinking, DNA mutation, Familial susceptibility, Injury and
Metabolic/hormonal disturbance. Once there is mutation of tha DNA, it activates the oncogene
which leads to a deactivation of the suppressor gene which causes a malignant osteoblast that
leads to proliferation of abnormal osteoblasts. This causes formation of osteiod tissue. The
osteiod tissue causes uncontrolled growth of the tumor in the bone and therefore
overcrowding of the bone. There is then suppression of red bone marrow which leads to
decreased production of blood cells. a decrease in RBC leads to anemia while a decrease in
WBC leads to a lowered infection resistance. The overcrowding also causes pressure inside the
bone which is a main cause of pain and fractures. The cancer then metastasizes spreading to
other parts of the body especially the lungs, kidneys,CNS, liver and the spleen