Can osteosarcoma be detected by ultrasound?

Written by Wang Cheng Lin

Orthopedics

Updated on January 30, 2025

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Osteosarcomas are generally difficult to diagnose through ultrasound. The diagnosis of osteosarcoma mainly relies on the following methods.

The first method is X-rays. X-rays can reveal a typical Codman's triangle appearing in the bone.

The second method involves using CT and MRI to detect the extent of the tumor and to see if there is extensive infiltration around it.

The third method is nuclear bone scanning. The main significance of nuclear bone scanning is to detect bone tumors early and to distinguish whether there has been any metastasis in the later stages.

The fourth method is the gold standard, which is to perform a biopsy. However, this test is invasive, requiring the cutting of tissue from the osteosarcoma for pathological examination. Of course, this method provides the highest accuracy and positive rate.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua

Orthopedic Surgery

1min 40sec

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Can late-stage osteosarcoma be cured?

For osteosarcoma in its late stages, it often metastasizes to other organs, with the majority of cases involving lung metastasis. In such cases, conservative treatment can be applied. However, if surgery is an option, it is the best approach as it can be complemented with postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy to extend the patient’s survival time. If there is distant metastasis and the body is in poor condition, unable to withstand surgery, then only conservative treatment and nutritional support are viable, along with the use of painkillers. In late stages, when the patient cannot tolerate surgery, only conservative treatment is available with no other alternatives. Typically, the conditions are divided into three stages. By stage three, there is usually lung metastasis. This stage often involves T which signifies intracompartmental or extracompartmental growth—T2 indicating extracompartmental, typically a marker of an aggressive tumor. Then M represents metastasis, with 0 for none and 1 for presence. So, in cases where distant metastasis occurs, it generally corresponds to stage three, phase B, which involves extracompartmental invasive metastasis. In such cases, even surgery provides poor outcomes. Early detection and treatment are best. If it progresses to later or final stages, treatment is often deemed unnecessary, limited to conservative management, as surgical outcomes are poor, and metastasis may occur elsewhere.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin

Orthopedics

52sec

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Osteosarcoma can exhibit which symptoms?

The symptoms of osteosarcoma, first of all, include pain. The severity of the tumor varies, and so does the accompanying pain. If the tumor significantly damages the bone, causing stimulation to the nerve endings of the periosteum, it will lead to increased pain; Secondly, there is a lump. A lump can be felt on the limb, but this lump also comes with significant tenderness. The growth rate of this lump depends on the condition; Third, there is limping. This limping is also due to limb pain, which causes progressive limping symptoms when walking, and prolonged limping can also lead to joint stiffness and muscle atrophy; Fourth, there are systemic symptoms. Any patient with malignant tumors will experience weight loss, anemia, and multi-organ failure, and may even suffer from pathological fractures.

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Written by Li Jie

Orthopedics

1min 9sec

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Symptoms of osteosarcoma recurrence

Osteosarcoma is a relatively common type of malignant bone tumor, ranking second in incidence among malignant bone tumors. Typically, upon the development of osteosarcoma, surgery is required to scrape out the tumor focus, followed by limb-sparing or amputation surgery. Additionally, adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy are employed. Generally, the local area may be maintained for a period, but the disease is prone to recurrence. There may be local recurrence at the site of surgery or distant recurrence, meaning tumor cells might seed and lead to tumors in other locations. Symptoms of both local and distant recurrences are similar to those at the initial onset, generally including significant pain, night pain, and rest pain. There will also be distinct X-ray signs of osteosarcoma in the bone. Furthermore, osteosarcoma may metastasize to the lungs, potentially causing symptoms such as cough, bloody sputum, phlegm, and fever—typical signs of intrapulmonary tumors. These are some of the common symptoms associated with the recurrence of osteosarcoma.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua

Orthopedic Surgery

1min 27sec

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Symptoms of osteosarcoma metastasis to the lungs

Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor of the bone, most commonly found in adolescents and young adults. The most frequent sites are the distal femur, the proximal tibia, or the proximal humerus. Early-stage patients often experience lung metastases, which are quite common. Initially, there are no symptoms; however, as the disease progresses, symptoms such as lumps, significant pain especially at night, increased local skin temperature, dilated veins, and weight loss may appear. At this stage, radiographic examinations are imperative to identify the tumor presence, indicated by findings such as a Codman triangle or sunray appearance, which are suggestive of osteosarcoma, though confirmation through pathology is essential. Furthermore, comprehensive body scans are necessary to check for metastases. Early-stage lung metastases might not show symptoms, but as the disease advances, symptoms like coughing, coughing up blood, and pleural effusion, possibly bloody, may develop. Severe cases can lead to respiratory difficulties and cachexia. Early detection and treatment, combined with postoperative chemotherapy, can lead to a five-year survival rate of over 50%. However, the disease is often diagnosed in its intermediate to late stages due to the absence of early symptoms, making it challenging to detect.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua

Orthopedic Surgery

1min 44sec

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Osteosarcoma Causes

Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant tumor of the bone and typically presents without symptoms in its early stages. The cause of osteosarcoma is unknown, and it often goes undetected until it has reached a moderate or advanced stage. It commonly develops at the distal end of the femur near the knee joint, at the proximal end of the tibia, or at the proximal end of the humerus, primarily at the end of the growth plate. The pain associated with osteosarcoma is usually persistent, especially severe at night, and can lead to symptoms such as anemia or general wasting. The tumor's surface may be warm to the touch, with prominent veins visible, and radiographic imaging might show a Codman's triangle, indicative of sunlight-like radiation patterns, as well as bone destruction and clear periosteal reaction. Surgical treatment is typically pursued, with amputation being the most common procedure, though limb-sparing surgeries are possible if the tumor is detected early enough. Some cases metastasize, most commonly to the lungs, requiring continued high-dose chemotherapy post-surgery to prolong survival. Generally, the five-year survival rate for osteosarcoma can exceed 50% with early diagnosis and treatment. The chances of survival heavily depend on the individual’s constitution, the timing of tumor detection, and the surgical intervention. The exact causes of osteosarcoma are unclear, and the potential for metastasis complicates treatment. Therefore, early surgical intervention is crucial for improving survival rates and enabling patients to maintain a normal life and work activities.