Osteosarcoma Prognosis

Osteosarcoma is a cancerous tumor which grows inside the bones. It's popularly known as childhood cancer because it's very common in kids and teens. Osteosarcoma affects kids which are in the age group of 14 to 16, it's very dangerous and life-threatening. Recent developments in the health care field have made the treatment very advanced. However, survival rate of the patient suffering from osteosarcoma is still only 60%. That's why it's very necessary that you have knowledge about osteosarcoma prognosis.

An average human body is made of many types of cells. In normal conditions cells grow, they divide, they die and new cells come up in their place. In some cases human cells mutate and they begin to grow and multiply even quicker than they used to. Now this multiplication causes tumors which can be cancerous and non cancerous. If these tumors are cancerous then it starts spreading to various parts of the body infecting every area of the human body. Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer and it's one of the most popular types of cancer in the United States. In 80% of cases, osteosarcoma is found in the knee, if not treated immediately it can spread to other parts and bones of the body causing serious damage. The above given information talks about osteosarcoma prognosis in adults and children, so that effective steps can be taken in such drastic cases.

Osteosarcoma Prognosis in Children

It's one of the most common types of bone cancer that occurs in children. More than 400 cases of osteosarcoma are registered every year in the US. This bone cancer is also observed in teenage boys who are taller than average height. Children who have a history of cancer victims in the family are also likely to suffer from osteosarcoma. This type of bone cancer mainly happens due to gene mutation but many times external factors like exposure to radiation are also held responsible for osteosarcoma. The most common symptoms are pain and swelling in bones of legs or arms. This pain will mostly occur in the longer bones of the body parts. The pain or swelling lasts for several weeks and the child may also develop an unexplained limb due to the gene mutation. One of the most common symptoms of osteosarcoma is a weak or broken bone which has happened due to the cancer.

Treatment includes a physical exam, blood test, the doctor can also take an MRI scan of the affected area. Chemotherapy or medications are used to kill the cancer cells and shrink the tumor. With chemotherapy sessions, even surgery takes place to make the job more effective. In severe cases surgical treatments are advised which include amputation or limb salvage surgery. In most cases doctors advise a limb salvage surgery rather than an amputation. In a limb salvage surgery, you remove all the infected bones and limbs and the empty gap is filled by a bone graft which is made by special metal material.

Osteosarcoma Prognosis in Adults

Cases of osteosarcoma in adults are very rare but this doesn't mean that adults are not victims of this dreaded bone cancer. Osteosarcoma in adults basically starts in the osteoblast cells which form the outer covering of the bone. Osteosarcoma is very common in men more than women. Although rare in older adults, it's affecting younger adults at a faster rate. Bone cancer symptoms in adults start with high fever, excessive fatigue and exhaustion, frequent weight loss, sharp pain in the affected area, bones becoming soft and bone fractures. In some cases patients can also suffer from anemia. Osteosarcoma prognosis in adults basically begins by looking at the detailed medical history, a number of physical examinations, X-Ray and blood tests. Patients are usually kept under observation until final reports are out. The treatments usually suggested are surgical procedures and radiation. For adults cancer control drugs like cisplatin, doxorubicin, carboplatin and ifosfamade are also prescribed. Other treatments are again limb salvage surgery or amputation.

With recent advancements in medicine chances of survival from this disease has increased. However, chances of bone cancer survival rate also depends upon the success of chemotherapy and your body's response to the drugs taken.