Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone cancer; together with Ewing's sarcoma it accounts for most primary bone malignancies. There is a preference for the metaphyseal region of tubular long bones. 50% of cases occur around the knee. It is a malignant connective (soft) tissue tumor whose neoplastic cells present osteoblastic differentiation and form tumoral bone.

Prevalence

It is the 6th leading cancer in children under age 15. It affects 400 children under age 15 and 500 adults between the ages of 15-30 every year. Approxiately 1/3 of the 900 will die each year, or about 300 a year. A second peak in incidence occurs in the elderly, usually associated with an underlying bone pathology such as Paget's disease, medullary infarct, or prior irradiation. Unfortunately although 90% or more of those with osteosarcoma will have a limb-salvage surgery of their knee, because of infection, non-union, local recurrence and other reasons some will lose a limb after limb-sparring surgery.

Related Topics:
Cancer - Paget's disease - Medullary infarct - Irradiation

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