Osteosarcoma is one of the most dangerous types of bone cancer.
Italy has about 700 new cases of bone cancer each year, with one case per 100,000 inhabitants. Osteosarcoma accounts for 20-25% of all bone cancers.
The reasons responsible for the appearance of this tumor are still unknown.
We only know that there is a relationship with bone development in adolescence. In fact, most cases are found in children and juvenile adults.
In other cases, even prolonged exposure to radiation and certain genetic abnormalities can cause osteosarcoma to develop.
However, many still underestimate these symptoms that can be a waiting room for aggressive bone cancer
As I mentioned beforeAIRCThe symptoms that could be indicative of osteosarcoma are pain in the bones affected by the tumor. In addition, swelling and lumps may occur.
Over time, a tumor can weaken the bones so much that it can cause what are called pathological fractures.
Since the symptoms are so common, they can have multiple causes and are nothing to worry about. However, it is best to seek medical attention if the pain and inflammation persist.
In this case, more in-depth examinations may be required after the visit.
These include radiography of the affected area, bone scans, positron emission tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
These last examinations are necessary to determine the origin of the lesion detected by radiography, and to understand the prevalence of any metastases.
However, a bone biopsy allows you to diagnose the presence of cancer with certainty.
Let’s see how osteosarcoma is treated now
So many still underestimate this symptom that can be an antechamber for an aggressive osteoma. For all the others Tumor forms, even in this case, it is important to intercept the cancer at an incipient stage.
In this way, some osteosarcoma treatment strategies, such as surgery and chemotherapy, may be more effective.
Great strides have been made in surgery in recent decades, thanks to advances in early diagnosis and the introduction of more effective medications.
In fact, it is now possible to remove only the affected part of the bone and replace it with prosthetics or other bone grafts.
On the other hand, chemotherapy courses are usually done before and after surgery.
Recently, some immunomodulating therapies, which stimulate a patient’s immune system to destroy the tumor, are being studied.
Unfortunately, the results are not yet encouraging due to the genetic complexity of osteosarcoma.
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