OSTEOSARCOMA

I. Definition

Osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that produces immature bone. It is the most common type
of cancer that arises in bones, and it is usually found at the end of long bones, often around the
knee. Most people diagnosed with osteosarcoma are under the age of 25, and it is thought to occur
more often in males than females.

Osteosarcomas range from low grade tumors that only require surgery to high grade tumors
that require an aggressive treatment regimen. Patients with osteosarcoma are best treated at a
cancer center where an expert sarcoma team and resources are available to provide specialized and
responsive care.

In children and young adults, osteosarcoma usually starts in areas where the bone is growing
quickly, such as near the ends of the leg or arm bones:

 Most tumors develop in the bones around the knee, either in the distal femur (the lower
part of the thigh bone) or the proximal tibia (the upper part of the shinbone).
 The upper arm bone close to the shoulder (proximal humerus) is the next most
common site.

Still, osteosarcoma can develop in any bone, including the bones of the pelvis (hips), shoulder,
and jaw. This is especially true in older adults.

II. Alternative Name

Osteosarcoma is also known as the “cancer of the bone”.

III. Signs and Symptoms

The most common symptoms of osteosarcoma include:

 Bone pain or tenderness.

 A mass (tumor) that can be felt through the skin.
 Swelling and redness at the site of the tumor.
 Increased pain with lifting (if it affects an arm).
 Limping (if it affects a leg).
 Limited movement (if it affects a joint).

Broken bone (sometimes after a simple movement).