Causes of Osteosarcoma Formation

Written by Wang Cheng Lin

Orthopedics

Updated on January 24, 2025

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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 Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 4sec

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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

43sec

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What tests are done to diagnose osteosarcoma?

The most accurate diagnostic method for osteosarcoma is biopsy, where live tissue is extracted and sent for pathological examination. The positive rate of this method can reach over 90%. Besides biopsy, there are several other methods to examine such conditions. For example, X-rays can be taken to observe significant damage to the bone structure. Secondly, CT scans and MRI can be used to determine whether the bone tumor has infiltrated surrounding tissues. MRI can also detect if there are metastases to organs outside the lungs. The third method is radionuclide bone scanning, which primarily aims to check for distant metastases of osteosarcoma.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua

Orthopedic Surgery

1min 25sec

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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

1min 8sec

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Is osteosarcoma treatable?

Osteosarcoma is not about whether it can be treated, but it must be treated. Moreover, the earlier the treatment, the higher the five-year survival rate. Currently, the treatment for osteosarcoma still primarily involves comprehensive therapy centered around surgery. With the advent of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the five-year survival rate for osteosarcoma has significantly increased. Specifically, once osteosarcoma is diagnosed, extensive chemotherapy is administered before surgery. After chemotherapy, depending on the extent of tumor invasion, either radical segmental resection, limb-sparing surgery, or amputation is considered. Postoperative treatment also requires continued high-dose chemotherapy. In fact, if osteosarcoma is not treated, it metastasizes very quickly, primarily to the lungs. However, if the treatment is very early, timely, and correct, the current five-year survival rate has reached about 80%. Therefore, osteosarcoma can be treated, and the earlier the treatment, the better the outcomes.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua

Orthopedic Surgery

1min 5sec

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How big do osteosarcomas generally grow?

The size of osteosarcoma is generally difficult to measure. By undergoing radiographic examination, Codman's triangle and bone destruction can be observed in the patient's images, which can be diagnosed as osteosarcoma. Further biopsy is then required. Osteosarcoma typically presents as a mass approximately the size of a fist, and early stages may involve malignant pulmonary metastasis. By conducting a pulmonary CT scan, lesions and metastatic foci can be discovered, primarily indicating bone destruction and the presence of Codman's triangle. Such destruction can deform the normal bone structure, and abnormal masses may be palpable during physical examinations, presenting in irregular shapes. This condition is commonly seen and cannot be evaluated merely by the size of the osteosarcoma. Early stages may involve lung metastasis, progressing to advanced stages where the prognosis is poor and survival rates significantly decrease. Therefore, this disease generally requires early diagnosis and treatment.