Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer) in Children
Here is some information about the types of second opinions we offer and how to request one.
The Solid Tumor Team at the Cancer Center at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia consists of a multidisciplinary team of highly experienced and compassionate professionals who will provide expert management of your child’s osteosarcoma.
In addition, Children's Hospital researchers are actively involved in researching and developing new therapies to treat osteosarcoma.
What is osteosarcoma?
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer in children. Osteosarcoma occurs most commonly in the bones around the knee. The arm bone near the shoulder is the second most common place for this cancer to start, but it can start in other bones as well. Like other cancers, osteosarcoma can spread into nearby tissues. It can also spread to the lungs and to other bones. Rarely, it can spread into other organs.
Who is diagnosed with osteosarcoma?
This form of bone cancer most commonly affects adolescents and young adults but can also occur in preschoolers.
What are the signs and symptoms of osteosarcoma?
Pain and swelling are the most frequent symptoms.
How is osteosarcoma diagnosed in your child?
If osteosarcoma is suspected based on X-rays or other imaging tests, a sample of the tumor (a biopsy) will be examined under the microscope to confirm the diagnosis. Additional studies will be done to determine which parts of the body are affected by the disease. These studies include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, computed tomography (CT) scans, and nuclear medicine bone and PET (positron emission tomography) scans.
How is osteosarcoma treated?
Before the development of chemotherapy, almost all children with bone cancer died, even though the primary (original) tumor was treated with surgery. Over the past decades, chemotherapy (anti-cancer medicine) regimens have been developed that treat the primary tumor and any other affected sites in the body, whether these sites can be seen on scans or not.
Limb-sparing Orthopaedic Surgery for Pediatric Cancer
Surgery remains a very important treatment for bone cancer in children. Orthopaedic oncologists and pediatric oncologists work together to coordinate the surgery and the chemotherapy. The entire treatment process takes just under one year. Learn more about limb-sparing surgery in the video below.
VIDEO APPEARS HERE
Late effects/cancer survivorship
More children with bone cancer are cured and lead normal lives. Some children treated for osteosarcoma develop complications years later. All survivors benefit from making healthy life choices, and having information available about their cancer and its treatment. Our Cancer Survivorship Program provides this information and has ways of monitoring and treating late effects should they occur.
Reviewed by: Rochelle Bagatell Berg, MD, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Date: November 2009
To schedule an appointment or request a second opinion, call 267-426-0762.
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