Osteosarcoma overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Osteosarcoma Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Osteosarcoma from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Staging
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Biopsy
X Ray
CT
MRI
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Osteosarcoma overview On the Web
Most recent articles
cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Osteosarcoma overview All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Osteosarcoma overview
CDC on Osteosarcoma overview
Osteosarcoma overview in the news
Blogs on Osteosarcoma overview
Directions to Hospitals Treating Osteosarcoma
Risk calculators and risk factors for Osteosarcoma overview

Overview

Bone cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor of the bone that destroys normal bone tissue (1). Not all bone tumors are malignant. In fact, benign (noncancerous) bone tumors are more common than malignant ones. Both malignant and benign bone tumors may grow and compress healthy bone tissue, but benign tumors do not spread, do not destroy bone tissue, and are rarely a threat to life.

Malignant tumors that begin in bone tissue are called primary bone cancer. Cancer that metastasizes (spreads) to the bones from other parts of the body, such as the breast, lung, or prostate, is called metastatic cancer, and is named for the organ or tissue in which it began. Primary bone cancer is far less common than cancer that spreads to the bones.

There are three types of bone cancer:

• Osteosarcoma - develops in growing bones, usually between ages 10 and 25
• Chondrosarcoma - starts in cartilage, usually after age 50
• Ewing's sarcoma - begins in nerve tissue in bone marrow of young people, often after treatment of another condition with radiation or chemotherapy

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of malignant bone cancer, accounting for 35% of primary bone malignancies. There is a preference for the metaphyseal region of tubular long bones. 50% of cases occur around the knee. It is a malignant connective (soft) tissue tumor whose neoplastic cells present osteoblastic differentiation and form tumoral bone.

This is a photograph of the patient prior to surgery. Note the marked swelling of the knee.

This is a radiograph showing the tumor in the distal femur.

This is another view of the tumor in the distal femur.

Subtypes

• Intramedullary
  • High-grade
  • Telangiectatic
  • Low-grade
  • Small cell
  • Osteosarcomatosis
  • Gnathic
• Surface
  • Intracortical
  • Parosteal
  • Periosteal
  • High-grade
• Extraskeletal