Osteosarcoma Katlyn and Kassie

What is Osteosarcoma? - Osteosarcoma is a type of malignant cancer that grows inside of the bones. - Usually develops from Osteoblasts(the cells that make growing bone) - Often starts near the ends of of long bones in legs (ex: around knee) but can also occur in the arm bone, pelvis, shoulder, or jaw. ~Osteosarcoma subtypes - Low grade: the tumors have few dividing cells and grow slower -Intermediate grade: Treated as low grade tumors most of the time. - High grade: Many dividing cells, look very abnormal and grow quickly.

What causes it? Osteosarcoma is found linked to other conditions but the cause of most cases are not clear. Risk: Chances are highest between the ages of 10-30 Children with it are usually tall. Slightly more common in boys and African Americans People who have been exposed to radiation for another cancer are at higher risk.

Effects of Osteosarcoma Symptoms - Bone Pain on motion, bone fractures, swelling, redness, limping, limitation of motion in joints Long Term Effects - heart or lung problems, loss of hearing(due to medicines), slowed growth or development, fertility issues Surgery - amputation with physical therapy Early complications after surgery include infection, and slow healing. Short Term Effects - anemia, abnormal bleeding, and increased infection due to destruction of bone marrow, kidney damage, and menstrual irregularities

Treatment Chemotherapy: Chemo is the use of medical drugs to kill the cancer cells and shrink the cancer followed by surgery to take out the cancerous cells then more chemo to get the rest of the cells Surgical Treatment: Consists of amputation or limb- salvage surgery.

Sites http://www.cancer.org/cancer/osteosarcoma/de tailedguide/osteosarcoma-after-long-term- effects http://www.cancer.org/cancer/osteosarcoma/de tailedguide/osteosarcoma-risk-factors http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/cancer/ca ncer_osteosarcoma.html