In bone cancer, the commonly known type is osteosarcoma, which is mainly found in long bones. Osteosarcoma most commonly affects youths, but it can also affect younger children and the elderly.
The location of the osteosarcoma, the size of cancer, the kind and grade of the osteosarcoma, and whether the disease has progressed outside the bone all influence treatment options.
Advances in osteosarcoma therapy have enhanced the capacity (prognosis) for this tumor dramatically over time. After treatment, lifelong monitoring is recommended to monitor any potential long-term repercussions.
Let’s talk about osteosarcoma and its possible treatment options.
What is Osteosarcoma?
Osteosarcoma is a type of skeletal cancer that develops in the cells that produce the bone’s structure. Osteosarcoma affects typically the long bones, notably the legs and arms. It can occur in soft tissue beyond the bone in exceedingly rare circumstances.
Primary bone cancer is the most dangerous type of bone cancer. They originate directly in the bones or surrounding tissue, such as cartilage. Cancer can also move to your bones from another part of your body, known as metastasis. Secondary bone cancer is a rare kind of bone cancer than initial bone cancer.
The common type of primary bone cancer is Osteosarcoma, also known as osteogenic sarcoma. It typically begins at the long bones in the arms and legs. Osteosarcoma can begin in the hips, shoulders, or other parts of the body. It damages the hard tissue that makes up your bone’s outer layer.
Causes of Osteosarcoma
The cause of osteosarcoma is unknown. This malignancy, according to doctors, starts when something goes wrong in one of the cells responsible for the creation of new bone.
Although the specific etiology of bone cancer is unknown, certain variables may contribute to or enhance a person’s risk of developing abnormal bone growths. These are some of them:
- Abnormal cellular development – Healthy cells divide and replace older cells regularly. They perish after finishing this process. Normal cells, on the other hand, live on. They begin to generate tissue lumps that develop into tumors.
- Radiation therapy – It kills cancer cells to treat bone cancer. However, some patients who undergo the therapy may develop osteosarcoma. Using high doses of radiation may impact cancer development.
These factors make osteosarcoma more probable:
- History of Radiation therapy.
- Paget’s disease of bone and fibrous dysplasia (illnesses.)
- Hereditary retinoblastoma, Bloom syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, and Werner syndrome are inherited genetic disorders.
Is osteosarcoma curable?
Yes, osteosarcoma is curable in most cases. The following factors influence its treatment:
- The stage of cancer.
- Your age, along with your overall health condition.
- The size and location of this tumor
This type of cancer is curable and is more common in children, while others are more common in adults. Surgical removal is the most common treatment, but chemotherapy and radiation treatments are other options.
Treatment of Osteosarcoma
1. Medications
- Pain medications for people undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma.
- Bisphosphonate – These are medications that assist prevent bone loss by protecting the structure of the bones.
- Cytotoxic drugs slow or stop the growth of cancerous cells.
2. Operation/Surgery
- Radiation therapy – To eliminate cancer cells, your doctor may propose radiation therapy.
- Surgical removal – In most situations, this entails using specialized procedures to remove the tumor in one piece, along with a tiny part of surrounding healthy tissue. The surgeon may use metal and hard plastic replacement to replace the lost bone.
- Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy kills cancer cells by administering powerful anti-cancer medications into a vein (intravenously).
- Alternative theory – Your doctor may decide to include alternative therapies, such as herbal remedies, in your treatment plan. The use of alternative treatments must, however, be viewed cautiously because some may conflict with chemotherapy and radiation.
Conclusion
Bone cancer is a disease that can be successfully treated. In osteosarcoma conditions, a combination of methods is required to achieve this purpose. Others with this cancer may require further treatment, such as radiation and chemotherapy, to keep the illness from spreading. Therefore, it’s vital to see your doctor regularly for signs that the cancer is coming back (recurrent) or spreading.