Osteosarcoma Patient & Family Handbook

n WHAT IS OSTEOSARCOMA? Osteosarcoma is a cancerous tumor that develops from osteoblasts (bone cells). It frequently starts in the ends of the long bones, such as the bones in the arms and legs, but it can be found in other bones as well. The most common sites are the distal femur (the thigh bone just above the knee), the proximal tibia (the shin bone just below the knee), and the proximal humerus (the arm just below the shoulder).

n WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF OSTEOSARCOMA?

There may be swelling and pain in the bone over the area of the tumor. Pain may be worse with exercise or at night. A lump or bump with swelling may develop days to weeks after the onset of pain. If the tumor is in the hip or leg area, the child may limp. In some children, the first sign of the disease is a break in the affected bone. It is important to know that the break did not cause the cancer in that area. Although uncommon, loss of bowel or bladder control and back pain may be a sign of a tumor in the pelvis or the base of the spine.

n WHAT CAUSES OSTEOSARCOMA? We do not know what causes osteosarcoma. We do know, however, that there is an increased risk of developing osteosarcoma in bones that have been treated with radiation in the past. Previous treatment with chemotherapy (specifically, alkylating agents) has also been associated with an increased risk of developing osteosarcoma. We also know that osteosarcoma is not contagious and cannot be caught from another person. Adults who have Paget’s disease (a chronic bone disorder) have an increased chance of developing osteosarcoma after age 50.

n WHO GETS OSTEOSARCOMA? Despite being the most common type of bone cancer, osteosarcoma is still very rare. It occurs most often in children and young adults between 10 and 20 years of age during the adolescent growth spurt or other periods of rapid bone growth. There is no relationship between a person’s height and the risk of developing osteosarcoma.

n IS OSTEOSARCOMA INHERITED? More research is needed to determine what role genetics plays in osteosarcoma. Children who have inherited retinoblastoma, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, or Rothmund-Thomson syndrome have an increased risk of developing osteosarcoma. The role of genetics continues to be studied by researchers.