Term
| What is the histologic hallmark of osteosarcoma? |
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Definition
| The production of malignant osteoid |
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Term
| What is the mainstay of therapy for osteosarcoma? |
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Definition
| The mainstay of therapy is surgical removal of the malignant lesion. Chemotherapy is also required to treat micrometastatic disease. |
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Term
| What areas are most affected by osteosarcoma? |
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Definition
| The top 3 affected areas are the distal femur, the proximal tibia, and the proximal humerus. Most osteosarcomas arise as solitary lesions within the fastest growing areas of the long bones of children. |
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Term
| What are risk factors for osteosarcoma? |
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Definition
1. Rapid bone growth, as in puberty.
2. Genetic predisposition: Bone dysplasias, including Paget disease, fibrous dysplasia, enchondromatosis, and hereditary multiple exostoses and retinoblastoma (germ-line form) are risk factors.
3. Radiation exposure is also a risk factor, but is a secondary osteosarcoma and is different from typical childhood disease. |
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Term
| What are the conventional types of osteosarcoma? |
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Definition
| Conventional types are osteoblastic, chondroblastic, and fibroblastic. |
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Term
| What is the most common presenting symptom of osteosarcoma? |
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Definition
The most common presenting symptom of osteosarcoma is pain, particularly pain with activity.
Parents may be concerned that their child has a sprain, arthritis, or growing pains. Often, there is a history of trauma. |
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Term
| What type of osteosarcoma is more commonly associated with pathologic fractures? |
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Definition
| The telangiectatic type of osteosarcoma is more commonly associated with pathologic fractures. |
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Term
| What are the systemic symptoms of osteosarcoma? |
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Definition
| Systemic symptoms, such as fever and night sweats, are rare. Tumor spread to the lungs only rarely results in respiratory symptoms and usually indicates extensive lung involvement. Metastases to other sites are extremely rare, and, therefore, other symptoms are unusual. |
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Term
| What are the physical exam findings in osteosarcoma? |
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Definition
1. Mass. A palpable mass may or may not be present; may be tender and warm; increased skin vascularity over the mass.
2. Decreased range of motion.
3. Lymphadenopathy of local or regional lymph nodes is unusual.
4. Lung auscultation is usually normal unless the disease is extensive. |
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