Osteosarcoma epidemiology and demographics
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Overview
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of malignant bone cancer, accounting for 35% of primary bone malignancies. It is the 8th leading cancer in children under age 15, comprising 2.4% of all malignancies in pediatric patients, and about 20% of all primary bone cancers. The overall incidence of osteosarcoma in U.S. population under 20 years of age are estimated at 0.5 cases for 100,000 individuals per year. Osteosarcoma is slightly more common in males than in females. Primary osteosarcoma typically occurs in young patients (10-20 years) with 75% occurring before the age of 20. Secondary osteosarcoma occurs in the elderly patients.
Epidemilogy and Demographics
- Osteosarcoma is the most common type of malignant bone cancer, accounting for 35% of primary bone malignancies.
- Osteosarcoma is the 8th leading cancer in children under age 15, comprising 2.4% of all malignancies in pediatric patients, and about 20% of all primary bone cancers.
- Osteosarcoma affects approximately 400 children under age 20 and 500 adults (most between the ages of 15-30) every year in the USA. Approximately 1/3 of the 900 will die each year.
- A second peak in incidence occurs in the elderly, usually associated with an underlying bone pathology such as Paget's disease, medullary infarct, or prior irradiation.
- Although about 90% of patients are able to have limb-salvage surgery, complications, such as infection, prosthetic loosening and non-union, or local tumor recurrence may cause the need for further surgery or amputation.
Incidence
- The overall incidence of osteosarcoma in U.S. population under 20 years of age are estimated at 0.5 cases for 100,000 individuals per year.
Location
- It originates more frequently in the metaphyseal region of tubular long bones, with 42% occurring in the femur, 19% in the tibia, 10% in the humerus, 8% in the skull and jaw, and another 8% in the pelvis.
Gender
- Osteosarcoma is slightly more common in males (5.4 per million per year) than in females (4.0 per million per year).
Age
- Primary osteosarcoma typically occurs in young patients (10-20 years) with 75% occurring before the age of 20.
- Secondary osteosarcoma occurs in the elderly patients.