Osteogenic sarcoma, which is also known as osteosarcoma, is a type of bone cancer that most commonly affects teenagers. The highly age-related distribution of the disease is reflective of the fact that this kind of tumor develops from osteoblasts, a cell type particularly active during adolescence, when bones grow rapidly.

Similarly, osteogenic sarcoma occurs significantly more often in boys than girls due to the generally greater growth experienced by males. Other than age and gender, most individuals that are diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma have no known predisposing risk factors for the cancer. In some instances, however, the presence of a gene implicated in the development of hereditary retinoblastoma, a tumor of the eye, has been linked to the onset of osteogenic sarcoma.

Similar to many types of cancer, the symptoms of osteogenic sarcoma vary and are often dependent on tumor location and the extent of the disease. The malignant growths most commonly occur in the large bones of the arms and legs, thus, pain and swelling in these areas may be observed. The knee is another frequent place osteogenic sarcomas are found, and tumors in this area are often accompanied by joint pain and limited movement. Due to the aggressiveness of the cancer, these and other symptoms that can serve as indicators that something is wrong all too often do not develop until the disease is well advanced, in which case treatment may be much less successful.

Formerly the primary treatment for osteogenic sarcoma was complete limb amputation. Over the last several decades, however, advances in the medical field have resulted in a significant reduction of amputations related to the disease. It is now often possible for surgeons to remove the tumor and a small area of healthy tissue surrounding it, instead of the whole bone that contains the tumor. Moreover, any bone tissue that is lost may usually be replaced through a bone graft or an artificial implant. For individuals who have tumors of the bone that are not well suited for surgical removal, chemotherapy or radiotherapy is typically employed. Such techniques are sometimes utilized following surgery, as well, in order to ensure that any remaining malignant cells are destroyed.

When osteogenic sarcoma is detected at an early stage, five-year survival rates are as high as 60 to 80 percent. If the disease has already progressed to an advanced state by the time it is diagnosed, however, which is the case for approximately one in every five children, the outlook is not nearly so promising. Nevertheless, ongoing medical research may eventually help significantly improve the prospects of all bone cancer patients. In development are new chemotherapy drugs that could make the eradication of malignant cells a simpler process with far fewer side effects by solely targeting tumorous tissue, rather than all rapidly dividing cells. Future treatments may also be developed that relate to specific growth factors that are known to play a role in the development of osteogenic sarcoma.

Osteogenic Sarcoma at 20x Magnification - When the osteogenic sarcoma occurs in adults, the condition is frequently associated with Paget’s disease a chronic condition characterized by abnormal bone destruction and regrowth.

Osteogenic Sarcoma at 40x Magnification - Osteogenic sarcomas tend to metastasize to other parts of the body relatively early, and in cases where metastases have already developed, the possibility of a cure is low.

Osteogenic Sarcoma at 20x Magnification - The prognosis of patients with osteogenic sarcoma has improved in recent years in response to improvements in treatments for the disease.