Osteosarcoma is the most common type of cancer that originates from a bone cell (osteoblast). The cancer cells in these tumors resemble early forms of bone cells that normally help make new bone tissue, but the bone tissue in osteosarcoma is not as strong as that in normal bone.
Causes
It is not known what causes osteosarcoma; it forms when something goes wrong with one of the osteoblastic cells.
Osteosarcoma begins when a healthy bone cell develops changes in its DNA. The changes tell the cell to start making new bone when it is not needed. The result is a mass (tumor) of malformed bone cells that can invade and destroy healthy body tissue. The cells can break off and spread (metastasize) throughout the body.
Location of the tumor
Sarcoma mostly affects children and takes hold at the ends of the bone, where it grows the most.
- Most tumors are found distal to the femur or proximal to the tibia.
- They are also found proximal to the humerus near the shoulder.
- Sarcoma can be found in any bone.
Risk factors
Age. Teenagers who are going through a growth spurt are most likely to get it, especially if the growth occurs rapidly.
Gender. Osteosarcoma occurs more often in men.
Height. Taller children have a higher risk.
Symptoms
- Localized pain The first and most common sign of bone cancer is localized pain around the affected area. Many patients describe this pain as a deep dull ache in the bone. This pain can often occur at night when resting, or when performing strenuous movements.
- Fatigue
- Swelling and inflammation
- Decreased joint mobility
- Weight loss
- Anemia
- Lameness
- Night sweats
X-ray
Conventional plain radiography is the best diagnostic approach because it describes features such as the appearance of the Sunburst, Codman’s triangle, new bone formation in the soft tissues, as well as a permeable pattern of bone destruction and other specific features of osteosarcoma.
