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.
Most women treated for early types of cancer live healthy lives after the recovery. But your chance of recover depends on many factors such as the type and stage of your breast cancer, how fast the cancer is spreading, how much the cancer cells depend on female hormones for growth, your age, your menopausal status, and your health.
Because of advancements in technology and funding survival rates have increased in each patient and quality of life due to better chemotherapy and radio therapy drugs are helping millions of survivors round the world to lead a generally normal life without the risk of the cancer returning.
Despite ongoing research, the cause of osteosarcoma is still unknown. Occurring in 2 persons per million per year (Michael et al., 2006) osteosarcoma is the most common primary tumor of the bone, but yet its incidence amongst malignant tumors is rare. However there are numerous factors that have been shown to effect prevalence. Osteosarcoma occurs predominantly in males, although the tumor does have a tendency to develop earlier in females (American Cancer Society, 2014). The risk of osteosarcoma is highest for people who are aged between 10 and 30. Most common however is during the teenage growth spurt, due to the rapid bone growth and higher chance of a mutation occurring in DNA replication. Height can also be a risk factor. Children with osteosarcoma are generally tall for their age, which again indicates a link to rapid bone growth. Osteosarcoma also appears to have a slightly higher prevalence in African Americans than other races. There is also evidence of genetic predisposition being a risk...
Ewing sarcoma is an abnormal growth of cells that is cancerous (malignant). It grows in bones or tissues near bones. It is usually found in longer bones of the arms or legs. The thigh bone (femur) is the bone most often affected, followed by the bones of the pelvis, lower leg, upper arm (humerus), and chest.
Osteoporosis is a disease of the bone. The bones become weak and brittle and are prone to fractures. A person with osteoporosis can fracture a bone just by hitting a table or turning while in bed. Most people with osteoporosis keep on getting fractures because the weight of the body cannot be supported by the bone and normal body movements, including walking, will strain the bone. This condition arises when the rate of bone growth cannot keep pace with bone loss. Osteoporosis can affect any bone including the hip, wrist or spine.
Osteosarcoma is both rare, and extremely hard to treat because none of its treatments guarantee a cure. (Thesis)
When receiving radiation therapy high-energy beams are pointed in the location of the tumor (s). This treatment method can be used instead of surgery or coupled with surgery depending on the complexity of removing the cancerous tumor. When receiving this form of treatment, it is in most cases given about 5 days on average a week for a certain number of weeks. With each treatment of radiation, the patient will be gradually receiving a higher dose of high-energy beams then in the previous radiation therapy session. Radiation therapy itself only takes a couple minutes but getting the radiation machine and the patient in place for treatment may take a much longer amount of time then the actual treatment. With any type of cancer treatment there are going to be some side effects. Some short-term side effects are patches on the skin that look like sun burn and hair loss also in the area where the radiation was aimed. Long-term effects are organ function depending on where the treatment was given and in some cases nerve damage and can also cause headaches and trouble thinking. A major concern with this form of Ewing tumor treatment is the fact that a new form of cancer can develop in the area where the patient had once received radiation
For cancer patients there are several treatment options. Surgery can remove cancerous tumors, chemotherapy uses drugs for treatment, and radiation therapy. The doctor in charge of the patient’s treatment may also choose to use radiation therapy. “Radiation
Peterson, G. M. Lessons from familial cancers. Mid-Atlantic Cancer Genetics Network Newsletter. Fall 1999. http://www.macgn.org/nl13e.html.
has metastasized and it is estimated that he has less than a year to live at best. This man had previously
The environment of those who are diagnosed with prostate cancer is as important as their diet. The uncontrollable development of the tumor occurs when the cells are no longer equalized. Another factor that plays crucial role in the tumor is the family history. Those with a prior family history of prostate cancer, has higher chances of getting this cancer. There are other factors that may involves in developing this tumor. There are three ways that cancer spreads in the body. The process of cancer involve tissues, the lymphatic...
Cancer can affect anywhere from the brain, lungs, and liver, to the breasts and heart. One of the most common types of cancer is “Carcinoma” “Cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs -- "skin, lung, colon, pancreatic, ovarian cancers," (Medicine net)”. This shows that dozens of different types of cancer only fall into a small category and can all only be treated by certain means. Some types of cancers are even incurable making them particularly dangerous because once you get one of those types of cancers there is nothing that you can do except wait for the inevitable death that awaits you. Meanwhile other forms of cancers are minor, meaning that there is therapy and cures for them, however just because they are minor compared to the more deadly types of cancer, all forms of cancer are extremely potent and dangerous. Sarcoma is another form of cancer “that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue -- bone, soft tissue cancers, (Medicine Net)”. This form of cancer affects the body by taking out the supportive tissues and functions, causing extreme pain and discomfort for whom ever is unlucky enough to get it. One of the most common types of cancer is leukemia which “Cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow and
Osteosarcoma, also know as osteogenic sarcoma, is a highly malignant disease. Osteosarcoma falls under the category of neoplastic diseases of the skeletal system. It is a pathology that arises from bone-forming cells that line the medullary canal. These bone-forming cells are responsible for thickening, ossification, and regeneration of new bone growth. This neoplasm forms in the growth areas between the epiphysis and diaphysis, the area of most metabolic activity. Osteosarcomas form primarily in the long bones of the body with 74.5% of the cases being in the lower long bones, and 11.2% being in the upper long bones. Osteosarcomas can be linked to several different gene-altering syndromes, which include Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Rothmund-Thomson syndrome. Most of which affect tumor-suppressing genes.
Chronic pain related to bone disease secondary to benign tumor as evidenced by complaints of pain, guarding behavior, facial grimaces, limping, alterations in sleep patterns, and alteration in muscle. tone.
It is highly important to seek medical attention if bone pain exists for more than 3 days in adults and children. It is highly unlikely for growing pains in children to last longer than 3 days or pain persisting at night. Likewise, for adults, majority of bone pain is due to arthritis. If the cancer spreads to other organs like lungs and spinal cord, there may be troubled breathing or spinal cord compression, which is a medical emergency. So seek prompt medical attention before it is