Symptoms of osteosarcoma recurrence

Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
Updated on October 26, 2024
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Osteosarcoma is a relatively common type of malignant bone tumor, ranking second in incidence among malignant bone tumors. Typically, upon the development of osteosarcoma, surgery is required to scrape out the tumor focus, followed by limb-sparing or amputation surgery. Additionally, adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy are employed. Generally, the local area may be maintained for a period, but the disease is prone to recurrence. There may be local recurrence at the site of surgery or distant recurrence, meaning tumor cells might seed and lead to tumors in other locations. Symptoms of both local and distant recurrences are similar to those at the initial onset, generally including significant pain, night pain, and rest pain. There will also be distinct X-ray signs of osteosarcoma in the bone. Furthermore, osteosarcoma may metastasize to the lungs, potentially causing symptoms such as cough, bloody sputum, phlegm, and fever—typical signs of intrapulmonary tumors. These are some of the common symptoms associated with the recurrence of osteosarcoma.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Symptoms of osteosarcoma

The common symptoms of osteosarcoma include, first, pain which is often persistent, typically occurring at the distal femur, proximal tibia, and proximal humerus. The characteristic of this pain is that it worsens at night, more severe than during the day. Second, there is local swelling usually near joints, particularly at the three aforementioned common sites. The skin over the swelling often becomes warm and may even show redness, and some patients may have dilated surface veins. The swelling can frequently cause dysfunction of nearby joints, or restricted function. Third, systemic symptoms primarily include a persistent wasting syndrome, known as cachexia. Fourth, osteosarcomas can weaken the bone's load-bearing capacity and strength following cortical bone involvement, eventually leading to pathological fractures. Therefore, the main symptoms of osteosarcoma are localized pain, local swellings, systemic manifestations of cachexia, or pathological fractures.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Can osteosarcoma be detected by X-ray?

Osteosarcoma can be detected with an X-ray, which is a very important method for diagnosing osteosarcoma. Since osteosarcoma typically comes in three types—osteoblastic, osteolytic, and mixed—the appearances on the X-rays are generally different. Osteolytic osteosarcoma mainly involves bone destruction, osteoblastic is characterized by bone regeneration, and the mixed type has both bone destruction and regeneration. Secondly, osteosarcoma primarily erodes the bone quality, and the periosteal reaction is very apparent. Typical osteosarcomas often show signs like Codman's triangle or the sunburst appearance. Therefore, if symptoms such as redness and increased temperature of the skin, along with a bony lump, occur around the distal femur, proximal tibia, or proximal humerus, it is best to first go to the hospital for an X-ray. X-rays are currently the most economical and necessary diagnostic tool for osteosarcoma.

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Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
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Does osteosarcoma spread through blood?

As far as we know, osteosarcoma is not transmitted through blood or infectious. If osteosarcoma had such infectious characteristics, it would be transmitted in the same way as AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases and would be classified as a contagious disease. However, there has been no notification or relevant guidelines to date indicating that osteosarcoma can be transmitted through blood. Therefore, normal contact with patients with osteosarcoma, or caring for patients with osteosarcoma, including sharing the same food or coming into contact with their blood, generally does not lead to the transmission or contraction of osteosarcoma.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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What is osteosarcoma?

Firstly, osteosarcoma is a common type of malignant tumor, characterized by a mechanism that produces bone-like tissue. It has multiple subtypes and can also develop into a secondary osteosarcoma. Secondly, it commonly occurs in adolescents. Thirdly, it typically affects the proximal femur, distal tibia, and proximal humerus. Fourthly, common osteosarcomas are generally spindle-shaped, often located near joints. The surface may have elevated skin temperature and sometimes superficial vein distension is apparent. It often involves the entire bone, including the periosteum, cortical bone, and bone cavity. Generally, the tumor appears as a very fine greyish-white or brownish-red fish-flesh-like change. Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor and is particularly prone to lung metastasis. According to tumor staging, it is at least stage IIB, indicating that it should be detected, diagnosed, and treated early. The earlier the treatment, the better the outcome and the higher the five-year survival rate.

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Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
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incidence of osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma, also known as osteogenic sarcoma, is a primary malignant tumor of the bone and has a relatively high incidence rate. Among primary bone tumors, the incidence of osteosarcoma is second only to plasma cell myeloma, ranking second. Osteosarcoma typically occurs in tubular bones, commonly affecting the rapidly growing metaphyseal regions. The distal femur, proximal tibia, and proximal humerus are the most frequently affected sites. Between 50%-70% of all cases occur around the knee joint. The common age range for this disease is between 10 to 20 years old, with a higher prevalence in males than in females.