If you or your child has been told there might be a concern about bone cancer, you probably have questions. One common type of bone cancer is called osteosarcoma. It is a rare but serious condition, especially if it is not found early.
At Banner Health, you are not alone. Our cancer care team is experienced in diagnosing and treating complex cancers, including bone cancers such as osteosarcoma. We bring together a multidisciplinary team, including medical oncology, imaging, interventional radiology, surgery, and supportive care, to help you get answers quickly and develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
Osteosarcoma is a rare primary bone cancer that begins in the bones. It occurs when bone-forming cells grow out of control and form a tumor. These abnormal cells can weaken the bone and may spread to other parts of the body.
This cancer usually begins in the long bones of the body, such as:
Osteosarcoma is most often found in children, teenagers and young adults. However, it can occur at any age.
Osteosarcoma symptoms usually develop slowly at first. Many people think the pain is from sports injuries or growing pains, especially teens.
Common symptoms include:
Bone and joint pain
Swelling or a lump
Weak or broken bones
Trouble moving
You should seek medical attention if you notice:
Many children and teenagers feel aches and pains during growth spurts. In most cases, growing pains are not serious and go away on their own. They usually happen in both legs, often in the evening or at night and are not linked to swelling or tenderness in a specific bone.
But bone pain from osteosarcoma is different. It may be more than just growing pains if:
If you or your child has ongoing bone pain that does not improve or affects daily life, see a health care provider for a check-up. Although osteosarcoma is rare, catching it early can give more treatment options and better chances for recovery.
At Banner Health, diagnosing osteosarcoma usually involves several steps. Your care team works quickly to find out what is causing your symptoms.
Your health care provider will ask about your symptoms, how long they have lasted and any changes you have noticed.
You might need:
A core needle biopsy or open surgical biopsy is the most important step. A small piece of the tumor is removed and studied under a microscope. This confirms whether cancer is present and what type it is.
Doctors determine the stage of osteosarcoma by checking the size and location of the tumor, examining how the cells look under a microscope and seeing if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, like the lungs.
Treatment depends on the tumor’s size, location and whether it has spread. Most treatment plans include a combination of therapies. Care often involves medical oncology, orthopedic oncology, radiology, pathology, rehabilitation and supportive care.
Chemotherapy uses strong medicines to kill cancer cells. It is often given before surgery to shrink the tumor and after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
Surgery is the main way to treat osteosarcoma. The goal is to remove all the cancer while keeping as much of the natural movement and use of the limb as possible. Orthopedic oncology surgeons work closely with oncologists to plan the safest approach.
Types of surgery may include:
Radiation is not the main treatment for osteosarcoma, but it may be used in certain cases where surgery is not possible or to treat remaining cancer cells.
Clinical trials offer access to new treatment approaches. Ask whether a trial is available or appropriate in your case.
Recovery is a major part of treatment. The goal is to help you return to school, work and daily life as fully as possible.
You may work with:
Since osteosarcoma mostly affects children, teens and young adults, treatment plans are designed with their unique needs in mind. Cancer treatment during these years can impact growth, development, movement, school and emotional well-being.
Care may include:
Outcomes for osteosarcoma vary depending on:
When found early and treated effectively, many people do well. Advances in chemotherapy and surgery have improved survival rates over time. Your care team will talk with you about your specific situation and what to expect.
Even after treatment is complete, follow-up care is important. They help ensure the cancer has not returned and support long-term recovery. Regular follow-up with imaging is usually required up to 10 years after treatment.
Your care team may schedule:
Regular imaging scans (scheduled quarterly for the first two years, then biannually for the next two years, followed by annual scans up to 10 years)
Lung checks (since the lungs are a common place for spread)
Physical exams
Most of the time, doctors do not know exactly what causes osteosarcoma. It is not caused by an injury or activity. Instead, it is linked to changes in the DNA (mutations) of bone cells that make the cells grow out of control.
Some factors might increase the risk of getting osteosarcoma, such as:
However, most people with osteosarcoma do not have any known risk factors.
Yes. Osteosarcoma is a kind of cancer that begins in the bones.
Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer. It is a primary bone cancer, meaning it starts in the bone.
Osteosarcoma can cause deep pain in the bones or joints. At first, the pain might come and go but it usually gets worse over time. Some people also notice swelling or a lump near the painful area.
Yes. Sometimes, osteosarcoma is mistaken for a sprain, strain, growing pains or a sports injury, especially in active children and teenagers. If pain doesn’t get better, it should be checked by a doctor.
No, very seldomly. Many individuals can have limb-sparing surgery, depending on the size and position of the tumor and how well it responds to treatment. Sometimes, amputation is the safest choice. Young patients often get growing implants that can get longer with external devices as they grow. This helps to make the leg equal in length to the other leg when they finish growing.
Some people with osteosarcoma can be cured, especially if the cancer is found early and can be removed with surgery. The chance of a cure depends on the size and location of the tumor, how well the treatment works and whether the cancer has spread.
Osteosarcoma is usually treated by a team of specialists. This may include medical oncologists, , orthopedic oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, rehabilitation specialists and supportive care teams.
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