Postoperative recurrence symptoms of osteosarcoma

Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
Updated on November 27, 2024
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Symptoms of recurrent osteosarcoma after surgery are generally consistent with the symptoms before the initial surgery. The main symptoms include: Firstly, localized pain, which is persistent, progressive, and does not alleviate, including pain that worsens at night. Secondly, localized swelling, which usually occurs around the surgical site if limb-sparing surgery was performed, or at the stump if amputation was done. Thirdly, the appearance of systemic cachexia and symptoms of metastasis. Systemic cachexia typically includes weight loss, anemia, fatigue, and loss of appetite. For osteosarcoma, metastasis primarily targets the lungs, where numerous cancerous shadows can be detected. Thus, the main recurrent symptoms of osteosarcoma after surgery include pain, swelling, and cachexia.

Other Voices

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Osteosarcoma can exhibit which symptoms?

The symptoms of osteosarcoma, first of all, include pain. The severity of the tumor varies, and so does the accompanying pain. If the tumor significantly damages the bone, causing stimulation to the nerve endings of the periosteum, it will lead to increased pain; Secondly, there is a lump. A lump can be felt on the limb, but this lump also comes with significant tenderness. The growth rate of this lump depends on the condition; Third, there is limping. This limping is also due to limb pain, which causes progressive limping symptoms when walking, and prolonged limping can also lead to joint stiffness and muscle atrophy; Fourth, there are systemic symptoms. Any patient with malignant tumors will experience weight loss, anemia, and multi-organ failure, and may even suffer from pathological fractures.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
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What does osteosarcoma feel like to the touch?

Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor that consumes bone and typically shows no symptoms in its early stages. By the time symptoms are recognized, it is usually in the mid to late stages. There might be localized masses; upon discovery of such masses, a visit to the hospital for diagnostic imaging is needed. Radiological examinations reveal characteristic signs such as sunburst appearance and Codman's triangle on X-rays. Further investigation with MRI or CT scans is necessary, followed by a biopsy for confirmation. During physical examination for this type of osteosarcoma, a localized mass may be found typically around the proximal tibia or distal femur, mainly around the metaphyseal ends. The mass may be accompanied by localized heat and pain, with nocturnal pain being more pronounced. Additionally, patients might show varying degrees of weight loss. Generally, osteosarcoma can be diagnosed through physical examination and radiological findings, followed by a confirmatory biopsy. Early stages require surgical intervention. Furthermore, osteosarcomas have a high rate of early pulmonary metastasis. Using extensive chemotherapy can improve patient survival time. With rapid advancements in chemotherapy, the five-year survival rate can reach about 50%.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Is osteosarcoma sensitive to chemotherapy?

Osteosarcoma is relatively sensitive to chemotherapy. Currently, the treatment of malignant tumors is primarily a comprehensive approach centered around surgery. However, the treatment of osteosarcoma should start with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which involves administering a certain number of chemotherapy sessions, generally around six, before surgery. After chemotherapy, the tumor itself shrinks in size, pain is reduced, and the patient's cachexia also improves. At this point, choosing an optimal surgical method based on the tumor’s location and size becomes feasible, whether it involves amputation, limb-salvage, or other treatment methods such as the implantation of prosthetics. Postoperative chemotherapy is then administered. With this approach, there is a significant improvement in the five-year survival rate. Therefore, the treatment of osteosarcoma is inseparable from chemotherapy, requiring both preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy, making osteosarcoma quite sensitive to chemotherapy overall.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Causes of Osteosarcoma Formation

The causes of osteosarcoma formation are currently unclear in clinical practice, but they are somewhat related to environmental factors and genetic changes, including heredity. If triggered by external viral infections or physical and chemical influences, osteosarcomas may develop. Likewise, genetic mutations and cellular mutations might also be associated with the formation of osteosarcomas. Osteosarcomas originate from mesenchymal cells and can grow rapidly; passing through a cartilaginous stage, they directly and indirectly form bone-like and bone tissues, damaging the bone structure, which leads to severe consequences.

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Does osteosarcoma require amputation?

Do osteosarcomas require amputation? In the past, the likelihood of amputation for treating osteosarcoma was very high. However, currently, the rate of amputation is very low, and the limb-salvage rate is very high. This is due to a new chemotherapy protocol in medical practice, which involves initial chemotherapy followed by surgery, and then continued chemotherapy post-operatively. The limb-salvage rate with this treatment plan can reach about 75% to 80%. Therefore, currently, most osteosarcoma patients do not require amputation. Unlike the past, where amputation rates were very high, today's medical approach is very advanced, generally resulting in a very high rate of limb preservation for osteosarcoma patients.