1. Darin Mehlhaf’s Senior Capstone Experience
Osteosarcoma
Darin Mehlhaf’s Senior Capstone Experience

2. Where it is Found
Osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that forms in and around certain bones
Primarily called bone cancer
Found in people with extensive exposure to radiation, either medically exposed or accidentally
Osteosarcoma can occur in any bone, but usually longer bones
Most commonly occurs in the upper leg, or thigh bone, the upper arm or any other large bones in the body including the pelvis, shoulder, and the skull

4. Whom it is Found in
Osteosarcoma is most frequently found in either childhood or adolescence (because it most commonly occurs during a time of rapid bone growth)
African-American children are more susceptible
Statistics show that being male increases the risks of osteosarcoma
Nearly half of all cases found in a year are in children

6. Diagnosing Osteosarcoma
Diagnosing osteosarcoma can be difficult because doctors will often associate the pain with a sports injury since this type of sarcoma occurs in mostly young adults
Genetics play a large role in whether a person develops osteosarcoma.
About 3-4% of children with osteosarcoma carry mutations in certain genes

8. (cont’d)
Osteosarcoma often starts near the ends of the long bones in the legs, especially around the knee. The arm bone near the shoulder is the next most common place. But it can start in other bones, too, like the hip bone (pelvis), shoulder, or jaw

9. Treatment
Before the 1980’s limb amputation was the standard treatment for osteosarcoma
A curative treatment for osteosarcoma consists of surgery and chemotherapy
Protocols state that the patient needs preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy to ensure a cure
Surgery call limb-sparing surgery often allows removal of the tumor while saving the rest of the limb

11. Prognosis
Localized means that the cancer has not spread from where it originated. Metastatic means that the cancer has spread from where it originated
People with multiple recurrences may be cured as long as the recurrences are respectable and not metastasized
The survival rate of a relapse is very poor being 20%
It is usually very painful for people with a relapse, so therapy is usually given get through the pain physically and mentally

12. Follow Up
The follow up interval is usually every six weeks to three months one and two years after the diagnoses, every two to four months in years three and four, every six months in years five to ten, and every six to twelve months there after the diagnoses

13. Works Cited
Bielack, S., D. Carrie, and P.G. Casali. "Annals of Oncology." Osteosarcoma: ESMO Clinical Recommendations for Diagnosis, Treatment and Follow-up. Web. 5 Nov <
“Information About Bone Cancer: Osteosarcom.” Osteosarcoma.Web. 5 Nov <
Longe, Jacqueline R. 1 Jan Web. 5 Nov < E&inPS=true&prodId=GVRL&userGroupName=sdsl_menno&tabID=T003&searchId= R1&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&contentSegment=&searchType=BasicSearchForm¤t Position=2&contentSet=GALE|CX246>.
"Osteosarcoma." Osteosarcoma. Web. 5 Nov <
"What Are the Key Statistics about Osteosarcoma?" American Cancer Society. Web. 5 Nov < key-statistics>.
"What Are the Survival Rates for Osteosarcoma?" American Cancer Society. Web. 5 Nov < survival-rates>.
"What Is Osteosarcoma?" American Cancer Society. Web. 5 Nov < overview-what-is-osteosarcoma>.