Osteosarcoma is cancer of the bone. The cancer (#malignant) cells make immature bone cells (osteoid). Osteosarcoma is very rare, but it is the most common type of bone cancer in children and teens. It is most common in teens and young adults.
The cancer most often grows in the ends of long bones, especially the bottom of the thigh bone (#femur) and the top of the larger shin bone (tibia). The top of the upper arm bone (#humerus) is another common place it grows.
The types of osteosarcoma include:
》High-grade. This is fast-growing cancer.
Most osteosarcoma in children is
high-grade. There are several sub-types of
high-grade osteosarcoma.
》ntermediate-grade. This type is uncommon.
It is between high- and low-grade.
》Low-grade. This is slow-growing cancer.
There are two sub-types of low-grade.
The exact cause is not known. The cancer may be caused by changes in the DNA of the cells. In most cases, these changes are not passed on from parents to children.
the symptoms of osteosarcoma in a child
Symptoms can occur a bit differently in each child. They can include:
》Pain at the site of the tumor
》Swelling at the site of the tumor
》Lump (#mass) in the area
》Increased pain with activity or at night
A bone that breaks for no known reason
X-ray
Blood test
CT-Scan
MRI
Bone Scan
Biopsy of the Tumor
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Surgery
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Chemotherapy
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Radiotherapy
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Clinical Trials
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Supportive care