How should osteosarcoma be treated?
Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor that devours bone, commonly occurring in adolescents and young adults, typically at the proximal end of the tibia or the distal end of the femur, and at the proximal end of the humerus in the upper limbs, which is the metaphysis. The main clinical symptoms are pain, which becomes more pronounced at night, and there is generally a mass at the site, with limited movement. The local skin temperature may increase, and some may exhibit distended veins. Patients with malignant tumors generally gradually lose weight, eventually developing cachexia and even pathological fractures. Osteosarcoma is asymptomatic in its early stages, and once detected, it is usually in the middle to late stages. Radiographic examinations are necessary for diagnosis, typically showing specific changes such as Codman’s triangle or a sunburst pattern, which are characteristic of osteosarcoma. Surgery is necessary at times, to remove and examine the pathology. Common surgical approaches include resection with inactivation and reimplantation, or the insertion of a prosthesis for limb-sparing procedures, while another option is amputation, followed by extensive chemotherapy. With the rapid advancements in chemotherapy in recent years, the survival rate for osteosarcoma has generally increased significantly, typically about 50% over five years. However, early-stage pulmonary metastasis occurs very frequently with osteosarcoma, necessitating early diagnosis and treatment. The primary treatment is surgical, complemented by postoperative chemotherapy.
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