Surgery The goal of surgery is to remove all of the tumor, as well as 5 mm of healthy tissue around it. There are several types of surgery available for patients with osteosarcoma, depending upon the location and the size of the tumor, whether the nerves and blood vessels are separate from the tumor, the age of the child, and the characteristics of the tumor (in particular, whether a bone fracture has developed). Before surgery is done, a conference will be held between your family and the members of the healthcare team. Before the operation, the surgeon will tell you what to expect during the recovery period. After some types of surgery, the child must wear a cast or splint. Some children need to stay in bed for a few days. Physical and occupational therapy will help the child recover the function of the affected area after surgery. Some children benefit from going to a rehabilitation unit where they can receive intensive therapy for a few weeks. The timing of the surgery depends on the site and extent of the tumor, but it is often done after several rounds of chemotherapy have been given to help reduce the tumor size.
n HOW LONG WILL MY CHILD’S THERAPY LAST? The chemotherapy course of treatment can last 9–12 months. Each treatment usually lasts several days and is given in the hospital or clinic. Follow-up blood tests and physical exams between chemotherapy treatments are done in an outpatient clinic.
n WHAT NEW METHODS OF TREATMENT ARE THERE? There are not many new methods of treatment for osteosarcoma today, but researchers continue to investigate the use of monoclonal antibodies and their effect on the immune system and the cancer cells. Most of the advances in the treatment of childhood cancer have been made through a process known as clinical trials. In clinical trials, the best known (standard)
treatment for a particular cancer is compared to a new (experimental) treatment that is believed to be at least as good as, and possibly better than, the standard treatment. Clinical trials allow doctors to determine whether promising new treatments are safe and effective. Many clinical trials for children with cancer in the United States are managed by the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), but large cancer treatment centers may have their own clinical research studies available. Participation in clinical trials is voluntary. On one hand, because clinical trials involve research into new treatment plans, all risks cannot be known ahead of time and unknown side effects may occur. On the other hand, children who participate in clinical trials may be among the first to benefit from new treatment approaches. Before making a decision about your child’s participation in a clinical trial, you should discuss the risks and potential benefits with your child’s doctor and treatment team. More information about clinical trials is available at http://curesearch.org/Clinical-Trials.
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