Who is likely to develop osteosarcoma?
While it is very unlikely for any individual to be at risk for osteosarcoma, teens who have a history of radiation therapy or retinoblastoma may have a modestly increased risk. There may be a genetic predisposition to osteosarcoma in familial cancer syndromes including the Li-Fraumeni syndrome. What are the symptoms of osteosarcoma? Most teens with osteosarcoma present with bone pain and swelling over the tumor. The pain may awaken the teen at night. If the tumor has spread, there may be weight loss, fever and pallor. Occasionally a teen may develop a pathologic fracture through the area of the tumor. This type of fracture occurs secondary to weakness of the bone due to disease. How is osteosarcoma evaluated? A bone tumor should be suspected in any teen with persisting deep bone pain, swelling and an abnormal x-ray of the area. If osteosarcoma is suspected, the teen should be referred to a center that specializes in the care of bone tumors. A biopsy will be performed for pathological,
