Does osteosarcoma spread through blood?

Written by Guan Jing Tao

Orthopedics

Updated on December 05, 2024

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As far as we know, osteosarcoma is not transmitted through blood or infectious. If osteosarcoma had such infectious characteristics, it would be transmitted in the same way as AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases and would be classified as a contagious disease. However, there has been no notification or relevant guidelines to date indicating that osteosarcoma can be transmitted through blood. Therefore, normal contact with patients with osteosarcoma, or caring for patients with osteosarcoma, including sharing the same food or coming into contact with their blood, generally does not lead to the transmission or contraction of osteosarcoma.

Other Voices

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Written by Zhang Ying Peng

Orthopedics

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How long can osteosarcoma last?

Osteosarcoma, also known as osteogenic sarcoma, commonly occurs in adolescents, especially in children and teenagers under the age of 20. It is one of the most malignant tumors among bone tumors, with most patients dying within six months to a year. However, early detection and treatment can potentially extend survival. The survival period of osteosarcoma depends on the location of the tumor; the closer to the distal extremities, the longer the survival period after treatment; the closer to the trunk, even with treatment, the survival period is not very long.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 15sec

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Is there a cure for osteosarcoma?

Osteosarcoma is treatable, but it requires proper medical treatment. Currently, adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improves the five-year survival rate for osteosarcoma. The main treatment approach is still surgery as part of a comprehensive therapy. Specifically, the first step involves adequate preoperative chemotherapy, generally no fewer than six sessions over about eight weeks, or approximately two months. After this, patients often experience reduced pain, weight gain, improved positioning of the tumor, and a decrease in tumor size. Depending on the specific situation, a decision is made on the type of surgery to be performed—whether to amputate, preserve the limb, install a prosthetic, or use artificial bone as a replacement. Postoperative chemotherapy is usually also required to help ensure that the tumor does not recur and to increase the five-year or ten-year survival rate. Therefore, the current five-year survival rate for osteosarcoma has increased from the previous 40%-50% to about 80%. So, as long as one chooses the right hospital and the right treatment plan, and maintains confidence, osteosarcoma is usually treatable.

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Written by Fang Da Zheng

Orthopedics

40sec

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Are osteosarcomas sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy?

Osteosarcoma is generally insensitive to radiotherapy, hence radiation therapy is not used for such diseases in clinical settings. Similarly, these diseases have a moderate sensitivity to chemotherapy, necessitating the use of relatively high doses of chemotherapy during treatment. The main mechanism of chemotherapy involves using a series of cytotoxic drugs to inhibit tumor growth. Although high-dose chemotherapy can effectively kill tumor cells, it can also damage some of the patient's normal cells, leading to severe reactions. If radical surgery is viable for these patients, then curative surgery is the preferred method of treatment.

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Written by Li Jie

Orthopedics

42sec

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incidence of osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma, also known as osteogenic sarcoma, is a primary malignant tumor of the bone and has a relatively high incidence rate. Among primary bone tumors, the incidence of osteosarcoma is second only to plasma cell myeloma, ranking second. Osteosarcoma typically occurs in tubular bones, commonly affecting the rapidly growing metaphyseal regions. The distal femur, proximal tibia, and proximal humerus are the most frequently affected sites. Between 50%-70% of all cases occur around the knee joint. The common age range for this disease is between 10 to 20 years old, with a higher prevalence in males than in females.

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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.