Osteosarcoma Essay

Osteosarcoma, characterized as a neoplasm that produces osteoid, is a highly malignant tumor that develops predominantly in the metaphysis of the long bones, often in the distal femur and proximal tibia. More rare osteosarcomas may develop in the soft tissue. Although the malignancy usually arises in the medullary cavity of the metaphysis of a growing tubular long bone, less frequent growth patterns can develop on the surface on the bone. Surface osteosarcomas, as well as being significantly rarer, are also of a low grade, where else medullary osteosarcomas are of an aggressive nature, making it high grade. Osteosarcomas may also be confined to the cortex, and can even originate in an extraskeletal site.

AEITOLOGY AND PRELEVANCE

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...

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...he pain and weakening of the bone would not allow this to work as effectively. Also, the lower limb often works as a closed chain, therefore if an osteosarcoma were to develop in the distal femur or the proximal tibia, walking would be made difficult and therefore a limp would occur.

Limitation Of Joints.

As previously discussed, the weakness of bone and associated pain inhibits the movement of limbs, including the joints. Although joint involvement is not common in osteosarcoma, since the articular cartilage is a relative barrier to tumor invasion, there is evidence of the cancer causing joint effusion which prevent normal movement of joints (Quan G, et al. 2005).

Fracture.

If the osteosarcoma progresses, the bone may weaken to such an extent that a fracture may occur, however the extremity of a fracture will only occur in the later stages of the osteosarcoma.