Osteosarcoma

CAUSES

Though we do not know the exact cause of most osteosarcomas, it is known that the development of malignant tumors has to do with the mutation of tumor-suppressor genes, p53 or RB1 (Zheng et al.). Those DNA mutations can either be inherited or may be acquired (Cancer.org). If the DNA mutation is inherited, then the mutation is a germline mutation. A person who inherits this type of mutation will have such in all DNA, and pass it on to their offspring. Even with a hereditary mutation, it does not guarantee the occurrence of cancer; it simply means that they are at higher risk. If the mutation is not inherited, it may be acquired, through environmental circumstances or spontaneously. If an acquired mutation occurs, it will not affect DNA of the whole body, and will not be passed on to offspring, as it is a somatic mutation. Though there may not be a direct cause of osteosarcoma, there are associated risk factors – both heritable and environmental.

Knowledge of the risk factors of osteosarcoma and their extent is limited. Still, there are a few risk factors that the scientific world seems to agree have some role in the cancer’s development. One possible heritable risk factor is height. One study suggests that individuals who are “taller than average” or “very tall” have an increased risk of osteosarcoma, respectively (Mirabello et al.). This same study also focused on birth-weight, another heritable factor, finding a correlation between increased birth-weight and risk for osteosarcoma (Mirabello et al.). The study boasts a fairly large study, with 1,067 cases for height and 434 cases for birth-weight data, claiming the “largest analysis of height at diagnosis and birth-weight in relation to osteosarcoma” (Mirabello et al.)....

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...n therapy can be more localized; only parts of the body then are subject to the harsh treatment. Unfortunately, osteosarcomas are not easily killed by radiation.

Prognosis of osteosarcoma varies, just as any cancer, depending on the location of the tumor, and whether or not it has metastasized. If the cancer is localized, a 60-80% five-year survival is estimated. If the cancer has metastasized to only the lungs, or if all tumors can be removed through surgery, a 40% five-year survival is estimated. However, if the osteosarcoma has spread to other organs, limbs and such, a much lower five-year survival rate is estimated at about 20% (Cancer.org). Research shows that age doesn’t have a significant effect on prognosis.

Osteosarcoma is a very rare cancer so research is limited. Still, it’s a cancer that effects real people and is therefore worth paying attention to.