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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How to alleviate the pain of osteosarcoma?

Pain in osteosarcoma patients is mostly caused by the cancer invading local bone tissue and other tissues, leading to pain, tenderness, and even sleeplessness. Therefore, the pain management follows a certain hierarchy, starting with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, followed by weak opioids, and finally strong opioids such as morphine. However, this only alleviates the pain and does not help with treatment. For early-stage osteosarcoma patients, pain management primarily involves surgery when necessary. For advanced-stage patients, it involves gradually increasing the dose of effective pain-relief medications to alleviate temporary pain. (Controlled drugs must be strictly used under the supervision of relevant physicians.)

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
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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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Written by Peng Li Bo
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Is chondrosarcoma cancer?

Chondrosarcoma is broadly cancer, but in medical terms, we wouldn’t necessarily phrase it that way; we simply describe chondrosarcoma as a type of malignant tumor, and currently, its treatment outcomes are not very good. Generally, when we talk about cancer, we’re referring to malignant tumors that originate from epithelial tissue, including cancers like stomach cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, and liver cancer, which all derive from epithelial tissues. However, because chondrosarcoma originates from mesenchymal tissue, which includes muscle, cartilage, blood vessels, and nerves, malignant tumors that occur in these areas are usually called sarcomas. Sarcomas are definitely malignant, but to strictly call them cancer is not particularly precise.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua
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Can osteosarcoma be cured?

Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor of the bone, commonly occurring in adolescents and young adults, primarily near the proximal end of the tibia, the distal ancient end, or near the proximal end of the humerus, most frequently seen at the end of the bone shaft. In the early stages, there are no symptoms, and once detected, it is usually in the middle to late stages. An X-ray examination can be used for diagnosis, often showing a Codman's triangle or a sunburst pattern. Osteosarcoma generally needs early detection and treatment. If a primary lesion is present, surgical treatment can be pursued, including procedures such as resection with inactivation and reimplantation or limb-sparing surgery with a prosthesis. Another option is amputation, followed by extensive chemotherapy. The likelihood of osteosarcoma spreading to the lungs is very high. In recent years, with early diagnostic physical examinations and the rapid development of chemotherapy, the five-year survival rate for osteosarcoma can reach 50%.

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Why is there a cough in osteosarcoma?

Osteosarcoma ranks second in the incidence of malignant tumors in the whole body's bones; its incidence is relatively high. It generally occurs in the long tubular bones, shafts, or epiphyseal areas of the limbs. Since the most common organ metastasis of osteosarcoma is to the lungs, if a patient with osteosarcoma develops a cough, it should be taken seriously, and it's recommended that the patient undergo a targeted examination such as a chest X-ray or a CT scan of the lungs to check for lung metastasis and any lesions on the lungs. However, there is no need to panic prematurely, as osteosarcoma patients might cough due to upper respiratory infections or lung infections, which doesn't necessarily indicate lung metastasis. Therefore, once a patient with osteosarcoma develops a cough, a targeted examination should suffice.