Osteosarcoma: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the early symptoms of osteosarcoma?
The most common symptom of osteosarcoma is persistent pain at the affected site, which worsens at night and is not relieved by rest.Localized swelling or an enlarging mass may be present, accompanied by increased skin temperature.
2. Why is osteosarcoma common in adolescents?
Osteosarcoma typically affects adolescents aged 10–25 and is associated with rapid skeletal growth.The tumors are usually located in the metaphyses of long bones, such as the distal femur, proximal tibia, and proximal humerus.
3. What are the surgical treatment options for osteosarcoma?
Surgical options for osteosarcoma include limb-salvage surgery and amputation.Limb-salvage surgery involves resecting the tumor-bearing bone segment and reconstructing limb function using an artificial prosthesis or allograft bone.
4. What is minimally invasive treatment for osteosarcoma?
Minimally invasive treatments for osteosarcoma include image-guided percutaneous needle biopsy to establish a diagnosis, thereby avoiding open surgery for tissue sampling.Radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation can be used for benign lesions such as small osteoid osteomas.
5. Why is chemotherapy used for osteosarcoma?
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is used preoperatively to destroy micrometastases and shrink the tumor, facilitating surgery.Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy eliminates residual cancer cells.Common regimens involve combinations of methotrexate, doxorubicin, and cisplatin.
6. What should be done for pulmonary metastasis of osteosarcoma?
The lungs are the most common site of metastasis for osteosarcoma.Solitary pulmonary metastases can be surgically resected to prolong survival.Multiple metastases are primarily treated with chemotherapy.
7. How is functional rehabilitation managed after osteosarcoma surgery?
Systematic functional training is required after limb-salvage surgery to restore joint range of motion and muscle strength.Patients with prosthetic implants must avoid strenuous exercise to prevent implant loosening.
