DiagnosisTo diagnose osteosarcoma, the doctor may begin with a physical exam to better understand the symptoms. Show
Imaging testsImaging tests help your doctor investigate your bone symptoms, look for cancer and look for signs that the cancer has spread. Imaging tests may include:
Removing a sample of cells for testing (biopsy)A biopsy procedure is used to collect a sample of suspicious cells for laboratory testing. Tests can show whether the cells are cancerous. Lab tests can determine the type of cancer and whether it's aggressive (the grade). Types of biopsy procedures used to diagnose osteosarcoma include:
Determining the type of biopsy needed and the specifics of how it should be performed requires careful planning by the medical team. Doctors need to perform the biopsy in a way that won't interfere with future surgery to remove the cancer. For this reason, ask your doctor for a referral to a team of experts with extensive experience in treating osteosarcoma before the biopsy. TreatmentOsteosarcoma treatment typically involves surgery and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy might be an option in certain situations. SurgeryThe goal of surgery is to remove all of the cancer cells. But planning the operation also takes into consideration how it will affect your ability to go about your daily life. The extent of surgery for osteosarcoma depends on several factors, such as the size of the tumor and its location. Operations used to treat osteosarcoma include:
ChemotherapyChemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy treatment usually combines two or more drugs that can be administered as an infusion into a vein (IV), in pill form, or through both methods. For osteosarcoma, chemotherapy is often recommended before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy). Doctors monitor how the cancer cells respond to the chemotherapy in order to plan further treatments. If the osteosarcoma shrinks in response to the chemotherapy, it may make limb-sparing surgery possible. If the osteosarcoma doesn't respond to treatment, it may indicate the cancer is very aggressive. Doctors may recommend a different combination of chemotherapy drugs or suggest a more aggressive operation to ensure all the cancer is removed. Chemotherapy can also be used after surgery to kill any cancer cells that might remain. If osteosarcoma returns after surgery or spreads to other areas of the body, chemotherapy might be recommended to try to slow the growth of the disease. Radiation therapyRadiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells. Radiation might be an option in certain situations, such as when surgery isn't possible or if surgeons can't remove all of the cancer during an operation. During radiation therapy, the beams of energy are delivered from a machine that moves around you as you lie on a table. The beams are carefully directed to the area of the osteosarcoma in order to reduce the risk of damage to surrounding healthy cells. Clinical trialsClinical trials are studies to investigate new ways of treating cancer. Ask your doctor or your child's doctor about whether you may be eligible to join a trial. Subscribe for free and receive an in-depth guide to coping with cancer, plus helpful information on how to get a second opinion. You can unsubscribe at any time. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Clinical trialsExplore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Coping and supportA diagnosis of osteosarcoma can be frightening. With time you'll find ways to cope with the distress and uncertainty of cancer. Until then, you may find it helps to:
Preparing for your appointmentIf there are signs and symptoms that worry you, you'll likely start by making an appointment with your primary care doctor — or the pediatrician if the concern is with your child. If your doctor suspects osteosarcoma, ask for a referral to an experienced specialist. Osteosarcoma typically needs to be treated by a team of specialists, which may include, for example:
What you can doBefore the appointment, make a list of:
Also:
Whether you're the patient or your child is the patient, your questions might include, for example:
What to expect from your doctorYour doctor will likely ask several questions. Be ready to answer them to allow more time to cover other points you want to address. Whether you're the patient or your child is the patient, the doctor may ask:
Jan. 08, 2022 Which piece of information from the client's history does the nurse identify as a risk factor for developing osteoporosis the client?Risk factors for osteoporosis include being White or Asian race, increased age, small-framed, being female, smoking, increased alcohol intake, and family history of osteoporosis.
Can a 4 year old get osteosarcoma?Osteosarcoma makes up 2% of all cancers in children ages 0 to 14 and 3% of all cancers in teens ages 15 to 19. It is most often diagnosed between the ages of 10 and 30, with most of these diagnoses occurring in teens. However, osteosarcoma can be diagnosed at any age, including in older adults.
Which factors are associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis?Risk factors you can change:. Sex hormones. Abnormal absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea), low estrogen level (menopause), and low testosterone level in men can bring on osteoporosis.. Anorexia nervosa. ... . Calcium and vitamin D intake. ... . Medication use. ... . Lifestyle. ... . Cigarette smoking. ... . Alcohol intake.. Can babies have osteosarcoma?Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant (cancerous) bone tumor among children, adolescents and young adults, but it is still a rare disorder. This bone cancer affects approximately 400 children younger than age 20 every year in the United States.
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