Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common non-haematological primary malignant neoplasm of bone in children and adolescents.

Pain and swelling are the most common presenting symptoms.

Although it can occur at any age, it usually affects patients in the second and third decade of life with a peak incidence between 13 and 16 years of age. It is more common in males than females.

Chemotherapy combined with surgery is the standard of care.

Prognosis of patients with localised disease has improved substantially following the introduction of chemotherapy, with 75% to 80% 5-year survival rates.

The World Health Organization defines osteosarcoma as a primary osseous malignant neoplasm composed of mesenchymal cells producing osteoid and immature bone, even if only in small amounts.[1]Fletcher CDM, Bridge JA, Hogendoorn P, et al. WHO classification of tumours, volume 5. Lyon, France: IARD Press; 2013.[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Osteoblastic osteosarcoma of the distal femur (radiograph and photograph of the gross specimen)Personal collections of Dr Michael J. Klein and Dr Luminita Rezeanu [Citation ends].