By: Trevor Price Childhood osteosarcoma is a rare cancer, though the 6th most common type of cancer in children aged 14 and under. The disease is the most frequented form of malignant bone cancer and affects approximately 900 people every year, 400 of whom are children. Causes of Osteosarcoma Regrettably, the primary causes of osteosarcoma are still a mystery. There are risk factors associated with the disease, but external contributors or causes are not known. Symptoms Associated with Osteosarcoma Typically, the most common side effect associated with osteosarcoma is pain, often emanating from the tumor location. Larger tumors, particularly those on the knees, can appear as swelling. In addition, because the affected bone is usually weaker, it's more susceptible to breaking. Over 50% of all cases of childhood osteosarcoma occur around the knee area. Risk Factors Age of Patient The risk for developing osteosarcoma peaks during the adolescent growth period. Some researchers think that there may be a correlation between rapid bone growth development and a child's risk for developing the cancer. Gender of the Patient Osteosarcoma typically occurs in males and is seen twice as frequently as in young women. Exposure to Radiation If a patient has been subjected to radiation treatment for other cancers or conditions, they will have a higher risk of contracting the disease. Additional Bone Diseases Patients who have suffered from other bone diseases, like Paget's disease of the bone, have an increased risk of being diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Typically though, this occurs in adults and is rare with children. Basic Genetics Children with inherited and rare cancer syndromes, like retinoblastoma, are more prone to developing childhood osteosarcoma. Types of Osteosarcoma Osteosarcoma is divided into three sub-types, each having a different appearance and long-term prognosis. The type of osteosarcoma is often determined by the presence of the cancer cells. The sub-types are high grade, which is a conventional, small cell and high grade surface development of the disease; intermediate, which is periosteal; and low grade, which is parosteal and characterized by low grade intrasseous. Treating Osteosarcoma Osteosarcoma is occasionally treated with surgery - at which point the afflicted limb or a portion of the afflicted limb is amputated. Usually, the patient or parents of the patient choose to use the same surgeon for both the biopsy and the therapeutic surgery. Patients or the parents of patients should consult with their surgeon about the best method and how best to remove the cancer while saving as much use of the affected arm or leg as possible. Despite the prevalence of surgery, most cases of childhood osteosarcoma are treated with chemotherapy in conjunction with surgery. There are a variety of drugs used in osteosarcoma chemotherapy programs, with each dose determined by the individual patient and disease.
