Page Contents
Osteosarcoma is a rare bone cancer that starts in bone cells. Even though it is rare, it is also the most common among cancerous bone tumors. It can happen anywhere in the skeletal system. However, it is most common in longer bones, like those around the knee and shoulder.
Osteosarcoma Care Tailored to You
You and your family are our top priority. At Fred Hutch Cancer Center, we offer comprehensive and compassionate care — personalized to you. You'll have access to the latest treatment options, clinical trials and supportive care services.
Symptoms and Signs
People who have osteosarcoma can have different kinds of symptoms. At first, it is usually noticed as bone pain during activity. Later, there is pain in and around a bone that isn’t related to activity. This pain doesn’t go away and gets worse. Other symptoms and signs include:
- Broken bones or injuries caused by minor trauma
- Inability to lift or use a limb
- Limping
- Swelling near a bone
Causes and Risk Factors
Scientist do not know the exact cause of osteosarcoma. The disease develops when healthy cells that make new bone have changes in their DNA. These changes cause the cells to make abnormal bone.
The people most at risk for osteosarcoma are under age 25. When it happens in older adults, it’s often associated with having Paget’s disease of bone or being exposed to radiation.
Osteosarcoma Care Team
At Fred Hutch, we offer comprehensive treatment from a team of experts who specialize in soft tissue sarcomas and bone cancers.
Learn more about sarcoma specialists at Fred Hutch.
Diagnosing Osteosarcoma
Diagnosing osteosarcoma usually includes having imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs, and blood tests. A biopsy of the tumor is also needed to confirm the diagnosis. If is the biopsy confirms there is osteosarcoma, other tests will be needed to find out more about it. This information will allow the physician to recommend the best treatment options. Physicians also use imaging during and after treatment to see how well treatment is working.
Learn more about diagnosing and staging sarcoma.
Treating Osteosarcoma
The treatment option a physician recommends depends on several factors. For example, they will consider the location and stage of the tumor. If the osteosarcoma has spread, that will affect the treatment recommendation, too. This disease is almost always treated with more than one treatment type. Treating osteosarcoma with surgery and/or radiation therapy as well as chemotherapy is a way it is sometimes treated.
Learn more about treating sarcoma.
We treat some children as well as adults with osteosarcoma at Fred Hutch Cancer Center – Proton Therapy.