Is osteosarcoma cancer curable?

Today, about 3 out of 4 people who have osteosarcoma can be cured if the cancer hasn’t spread to other parts of the body. Almost everyone who is treated with limb-sparing surgery ends up with that arm or leg working well. Many people who have osteosarcoma will need physical therapy for several months after surgery.

What is osteogenic cancer?

Osteosarcoma (also called osteogenic sarcoma) is the most common type of cancer that starts in the bones. The cancer cells in these tumors look like early forms of bone cells that normally help make new bone tissue, but the bone tissue in an osteosarcoma is not as strong as that in normal bones.

What is the main cause of osteosarcoma?

Most osteosarcomas are not caused by inherited gene mutations, but instead are the result of gene changes acquired during the person’s lifetime. Sometimes these gene changes are caused by radiation therapy used to treat another form of cancer, because radiation can damage the DNA inside cells.

Is osteosarcoma a terminal?

What are the survival rates for osteosarcoma? If the disease is localized (has not spread to other areas of the body), the long-term survival rate is 70 to 75%. If osteosarcoma has already spread to the lungs or other bones at diagnosis, the long-term survival rate is about 30%.

How rare is osteogenic sarcoma?

The classic osteosarcoma is a rare (0.2% of all malignant tumours) highly malignant tumour, with an estimated incidence of 3 cases/million population/year. Osteosarcoma arises predominantly in the long bones and rarely in the soft tissues.

Where is the osteogenic sarcoma?

Osteogenic sarcoma (osteosarcoma) is a cancer that starts in the bone. It often starts in the ends of the bones where new bone tissue forms as a young person grows. Bones in the thigh, upper arm, and shin are the most common sites, but osteosarcoma can occur anywhere in the body.

Does osteosarcoma run in families?

The cause of osteosarcoma is not known. In some cases, it runs in families, and at least one gene has been linked to increased risk. Treatment varies from person to person and may include surgery, chemotherapy , radiation therapy , and samarium.

Is osteogenic sarcoma benign?

Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor in youth. The average age at diagnosis is 15 years. Boys and girls have a similar incidence of this tumor until late adolescence, at which time boys are more commonly affected. The cause of osteosarcoma is unknown.