OSTEOSARCOMA: BONE CANCER

 The osteosarcoma is the bone tumor most frequently primitive. It usually affects young people and reached most often the knees, thighs and arms. The treatment of bone cancer most often combines chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.

Osteosarcoma, a primary bone cancer

The osteosarcoma is one of the primary cancers of the bone , that is to say, developed from the bone, cartilage or fibrous tissue, as opposed tosecondary cancers of the bone metastases that are of a cancer in another organ. The osteosarcoma is the primary bone cancer the most common before the chondrosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma and multiple myeloma. Of unknown cause, the osteosarcoma usually occurs in children and young adults between 10 and 25 years. The bones usually affected are the long bones near the knee or shoulder, tibia, femur and humerus. We traditionally distinguish two forms of osteosarcoma : one attacks the central part of the bone (medullary bone), the other in the peripheral area of bone destruction in the periosteum, the membrane that surrounds the bones and is responsible for its growth in thickness. It should also be aware that osteosarcoma can spread through blood and the lungs, causing lung metastases.

The first signs of osteosarcoma

As with all bone cancers , the first symptom suggestive of tumor is a manifestation of pain bone unexplained persistent, which is due to tissue inflammation and swelling. The symptom is the occurrence of an invoice bone is still unexplained, that is to say occurred during a minor trauma or even in the absence of shock. Indeed, developing, tumor cells destroy surrounding tissue, making the bone very fragile.

Diagnosis and treatment of osteosarcoma

The diagnosis of osteosarcoma is based on radiography coupled with the biopsy to reveal the nature of cancerous cells. It should also investigate the possible presence of metastases, particularly lung. Combined with chemotherapy, the tumor is usually removed by surgery. There is generally a tissue ablation widest possible. However, care is taken to maintain sufficient tissue in order to put an artificial joint. As for the amputation, it may be necessary in case of large tumors or recurrences.