Osteosarcoma - Type of Cancer

A type of cancer: Osteosarcoma, is the most common type of bone cancer. In osteosarcoma, cancer cells grow and spread in the bones. It is also known for the fact that, more often young generation fall prey to this cancer. Osteosarcoma attacks more male teens than females. People generally develop this cancer during their growth period, also it has been noted that people who are bony and taller than average are at the greater risk of developing osteosarcoma.

High pain and swelling in the bone region in various parts of body such as arms, legs etc. that roots directly from the bones are some of the most common symptoms of osteosarcoma. The swelling around the bone weakens it, and sometimes causes fracture in the bone, which is a sure sign of osteosarcoma. One sign of osteosarcoma is tumor around the bone. People diagnosed with osteosarcoma who live in humid environment or those who sleep/work at places where airconditioners are used continuously, face more problem related to the pain that rises from bones.

Although, the exact causes/reasons of osteosarcoma are not known today, some conditions which might lead to osteosarcoma can be looked for such as: radiation therapy used in early age because of some reason such as cancer can increase the risk of osteosarcoma, if a person has history of bone related diseases such as osteochondromas of any kind, which sometimes are hereditary, it has also been found that people who have inherited cancers such as Li-Fraumeni Syndrome and Retinoblastoma may be at an increased risk of developing osteosarcoma. Intake of some cancer causing chemicals can also increase the risk of this cancer.

If anyone suspects to have developed osteosarcoma, should visit doctor as soon as possible. The doctor then may conduct some tests such as X-ray test, blood test. The doctor may also conduct a biopsy on the piece of tissue which is cut from the affected area to dig in the root cause of the tumor.

The treatment of osteosarcoma depends on the age of the person who is diagnosed with the cancer, stage of the disease, size and location of tumor etc. Treatment involves chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

In treatment of the cancer involving surgery, the doctor removes the cancer tumor. Along with the tumor, some healthy tissues are also removed to make it sure that the cancer has not reached the remaining part of the body. Sometimes the patient loses his/her limb as the cancer cells spread to the lymph node and it becomes nearly impossible to treat the disease without removing the limb. Sometimes, even after removing the cancer tumor, some cancer cells survive in the body of patient, which spread to the different organs and start growing again.

Chemotherapy comes as another aid for the cancer treatment. In chemotherapy, different types of drugs are used to kill the cancer cells. The right combination of drugs is selected from various options which again depend on the age of patient, type and stage of cancer, location and size of the tumor etc. Chemotherapy also has its own consequences, drugs that are injected in the body of patient, can also kill healthy cells and this may affect patient’s health at certain extent.

While undergoing the treatment for cancer, the patient has to be careful about his/her health. It is very important for the patient to keep himself/herself fit and take a healthy diet that can help the patient overcome the bad effects of the treatments.