What is osteosarcoma?

Osteosarcoma is a bone cancer that arises from the cells that form the bones. It is one of the most common kinds of primary bone cancer, meaning it originates in the bone itself rather than spreading from other parts of the body.

According to a sarcoma cancer doctor in Kolkata, it can occur in any bone of your body, but it most commonly affects the long bones, like the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), and humerus (upper arm bone). Cancer usually develops in children and young adults between the ages of 10 and 25 years old, but it can occur at any age.

What are the symptoms of osteosarcoma?

Some common symptoms have been listed below by the best osteosarcoma cancer doctor in Kolkata.

1. Pain
2. Swelling
3. Limited mobility
4. Tenderness
5. Weight loss

Causes of osteosarcoma

According to the best oncologist in Kolkata, several risk factors have been identified, including:

1. Inherited genetic conditions: Certain inherited genetic conditions, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, and hereditary retinoblastoma, are associated with an increased risk of osteosarcoma.

2. Radiation therapy: Exposure to high doses of radiation, such as radiation therapy for other cancers, may increase the risk of developing osteosarcoma later in life.

3. Paget’s disease: It’s a disease of the bone is a condition in which the bones become enlarged and deformed. People with Paget’s disease have an increased risk of developing osteosarcoma.

4. Gender and age: Osteosarcoma is more common in males than females and most commonly occurs in children or young adults between the ages of 10 and 25 years old.

5. Bone trauma: Previous bone trauma, such as a fracture or injury, may increase the risk of osteosarcoma in some cases.

Treatments of osteosarcoma

The treatment of osteosarcoma typically involves a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and sometimes radiation therapy.

1. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves the use of powerful drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is usually given before surgery to shrink the tumour and make it easier to remove and, after surgery, to kill any remaining cancer cells.

2. Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy may be used in combination with chemotherapy and surgery in some cases. This therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancerous cells.

3. Targeted therapy: It is a treatment that targets specific proteins or molecules involved in the growth and spread of cancerous cells. Targeted therapy may be used with chemotherapy in some cases.

4. Surgery: Surgery is another treatment for osteosarcoma. The goal of surgery is to remove as much cancer as possible while preserving as much function and mobility in the affected limb as possible. In some cases, amputation may be necessary.