Osteosarcomas cases are very rare. In fact, there are only about 2,000 cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year. That means that less than 1 percent of all reported cancer cases are diagnosed as osteosarcoma. The majority of cases are diagnosed in adolescence due to the rapid growth experienced during this time. During puberty, children grow faster than at any other time in their life, so the cells are multiplying exponentially, creating greater potential for cancerous growth. Osteosarcomas can also be found in the elderly who have Paget's disease. Paget's is another bone disease that can turn into osteosarcoma.
Definition
Osteosarcoma is primary bone cancer; primary meaning that the cancer has not metastasized from anywhere else. Primary bone cancers are one of the rarest types of cancer in general. However, of the primary bone cancers, osteosarcoma is the most common. Cancer is the result of rapidly increasing cells growing to form an unwanted mass within the body, in this case within the bones.
Types
The most common osteosarcoma is high-grade type. This type accounts for 90 percent of all osteosarcomas. Other types that have a high-grade, or acute aggressiveness, are telangiectatic, small cell and secondary. Low-grade osteosarcomas are those that are not as aggressive. These include surface low-grade and low-grade osteosarcomas. Most often osteosarcomas are referred to as either high-grade or low-grade. Most tumors that originate from the interior of the bone, or the marrow, are high-grade, while those originating on the exterior of the bone are considered low-grade.
Symptoms
There are rarely early signs of osteosarcoma. If symptoms occur, there may be localized swelling accompanied with or without pain. Often times, osteosarcomas are found after an injury such as a fracture. However, once a mass is discovered after a fracture, the prevention of future fractures becomes imperative. The mass weakens the effected bone, making a person more susceptible to future breaks.
Treatments
High-grade tumors are usually treated with a combination of chemotherapy to shrink the mass and then surgery. This can be as simple as removal of the tumor or as complex as amputation. For low-grade osteosarcoma, chemotherapy is not recommended and most physicians remove the mass and reconstruct the bone.
Alternative Treaments
Many osteosarcoma sufferers find relief in other forms of treatment, including massage therapy, yoga, meditation and other light physical activity to stimulate the bones and muscles. Such treatments also help alleviate some of the pain and swelling that result from some cases of osteosarcoma.
Tags: cases diagnosed, , conventional central,