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Osteogenic Sarcoma

Osteogenic sarcoma is a cancer that begins in the bone; this is also called an osteosarcoma, malignant bone cancer. Osteogenic sarcoma accounts for about a third of all bone malignancies, and about half of these occur around the knee, originating in the soft connective tissues to form bony tumors.

Overall, osteogenic sarcoma is the sixth leading cancer in children, but is much rarer in adults. About a third of those who have osteogenic sarcoma will die in the first year. In many cases, the treatment for this disease involves some amount of amputation.

Osteosarcoma is probably caused by a genetic predisposition triggered by unknown environmental factors. Some researchers think that radium or fluoride in drinking water may trigger it. The first symptom of the disease is pain that worsens at night; the tumor may show up as a swelling, and the underlying bone is weak and prone to fracture with only minor trauma. It is critical to biopsy for a diagnosis; many physicians miss the disease and send patients to physical therapy or otherwise mis-treat them.

Most osteogenic sarcomas are treated with chemotherapy followed by surgery to remove the diseased part of the limb.

Web Resources On Osteogenic Sarcoma

What is osteogenic sarcoma?
Osteogenic Sarcoma

Book Resources On Osteogenic Sarcoma

Osteosarcoma: A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, and Annotated Research Guide to Internet References by Icon Health Publications
Frontiers of Osteosarcoma Research by Josef F. Novak, James H. McMaster

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