Osteosarcoma in children

Symptoms

The most common symptoms are pain in the area of the tumour and swelling or a lump.

Movement may cause pain to increase.

If the tumour is in the hip or leg the child may limp.

Who is affected by osteosarcoma in children?

Malignant neoplasms in children and adolescents are rare, but they are one of the most important causes of mortality in these age groups. Osteosarcoma represents 4% of cancers diagnosed in children throughout Spain. Every year in Spain there are around 40 new cases in children under 14 years of age.

Diagnosis

There are different tools to diagnose osteosarcoma:

• X-ray
• CT scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging
• Bone scintigraphy
• Tumour biopsy

These tests will help to determine the size and location of the tumour and whether it has spread to another part of the body. This information determines which phase it is in and is necessary to decide the best treatment to follow.

Typical treatment

Osteosarcoma is treated using two kinds of therapy: surgery (to save or amputate the limb) and chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy is usually given a few weeks before and after surgery. The type of surgery depends on the size and location of the tumour, and on the age of the child.

Prevention

There are currently no measures to prevent this kind of tumour.