Osteogenic sarcoma - how to identify and treat bone cancer?

Osteosarcoma is one of the bone cancer diseases. It is a malignant tumor, the cells of which are formed from bone tissue. The most dangerous period of its formation is the active phase of growth of the skeleton. Most cases of sarcoma are diagnosed in young people. Boys are more likely to get sick than girls.

Osteogenic sarcoma - symptoms

Osteogenic bone sarcoma is considered one of the most aggressive oncological diseases. In a short period of time, the bone tumor spreads its metastases throughout the body. More often the cancer of this species occurs in long tubular bones, but the bones of the skull, jaw and spine can become its target. The very first signs of this oncology are very easy to confuse with harmless ailments.

Osteogenic sarcoma of the jaw - symptoms

Specific symptoms in the initial stage are poorly expressed. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to recognize the disease since its inception. Distinguish the following signs of this pathology:

1. The painful sensations, which are the main symptom of the ailment, appear late in the evening and resemble a toothache.
2. An increase in the tumor provokes loosening of the teeth, a difficulty in chewing food.
3. As the inflammation spreads, the patient develops swelling on the face, there is a loss of sensitivity.
4. The disintegration period of the neoplasm is accompanied by a significant increase in body temperature.
5. In a later period, the osteogenic sarcoma of the jaw is a source of discharge from the nose and a violation of nasal breathing.
6. The course of the disease is greatly aggravated by the addition of infection due to reduced immunity.

Osteogenic sarcoma of the femur

This type of pathology is notable for its cunning and at the first stage does not manifest itself at all. The feeling of discomfort is associated with physical overstrain or the onset of neuralgia. But differentiation of the ailment from others is possible - osteogenic sarcoma of the thigh does not respond to painkillers. Over time, the tumor increases in size and is manifested by the following symptoms:

1. The pain, at first aching and dull, becomes intense and constant, especially at night.
2. The bone is enlarged and there is swelling and swelling of the tissue over the affected area.
3. Violated physiological function of the limb, which is the cause of severe lameness.
4. The vascular network is clearly visualized.
5. Pathological fractures are a specific symptom of the disease in a later period.

In the later stages, the symptoms of general intoxication intensify:

• weight loss;
• anemia ;
• loss of ability to work;
• constant low-grade fever;
• pouring sweat at night.

Osteogenic skull sarcoma

Basically the flat bones of the skull are affected: temporal, parietal, occipital, more often frontal. In most cases, a slow form of the disease is observed, which makes early diagnosis difficult. Sarcoma of the skull is characterized by the following clinical manifestations:

1. The tumor, formed on the frontal bone, reaches a large size. After a while sprouts out.
2. A flat seal is formed. At first it was hard, and later with small softened zones.
3. There is a constant pain in my head.
4. When palpation of the build-up, pulsation is felt.
5. The skin above the affected area becomes thin and pale, on its surface is clearly visible vascular mesh.

If the sarcoma grows deep in the skull, it can not be visually diagnosed. The appearance of neurologic symptoms is evidence of brain damage:

• mental disorder;
• decreased memory;
• pathology of the visual organ;
• increased intracranial pressure;
• very high amplitude of headache.

Osteogenic sarcoma of the ilium

The iliac bones are one of the largest fragments of the skeleton. Sarcoid ileal bone is relatively rare and is expressed by a clinical picture, characteristic of other types of oncology:

• pain syndrome;
• general deterioration of well-being;
• restless and intermittent sleep.

Osteogenic sarcoma of the knee joint

This type of disease is considered the most common, but difficult to diagnose. His initial symptoms are not manifested and do not cause concern. In later stages, the osteogenic sarcoma of the foot is expressed by the appearance of more distinct signs:

• discomfort in the joint area;
• a feeling of numbness in the leg;
• decrease in the physiological function of the lower limb with subsequent development of lameness;
• there is deformation of the affected bone, which provokes pathological fractures;
• signs of general malaise are aggravated.

Osteogenic sarcoma of the spine

Malignant damage to the spine occurs rarely, is detected in later stages and rapidly progresses, spreading metastases, mainly into the lungs. The process of tumor formation can occur both in one vertebra and in several. Symptoms of the spine sarcoma are as follows:

1. The onset of the disease is characterized by mild discomfort in the back of an unclear location.
2. Increase neoplasm provokes increased pain when coughing and sneezing. It is especially difficult to be in a horizontal position.
3. Above the place of formation of the osteogenic sarcoma, a painful compaction is clearly felt.
4. The spine becomes inactive, which significantly limits the movement of the patient and leads to frequent falls.
5. Inflammation of the sciatic nerve develops.
6. The general condition of the patient is very difficult.

The illness is dangerous serious complications:

• paralysis;
• paresis;
• impaired excretory system function.

Osteogenic sarcoma - X-ray signs

Based on the details of the patient's detailed history and laboratory tests, the doctor prescribes instrumental examinations. X-ray of the osteogenic sarcoma helps to detect the presence of pathology by the following features:

• the initial stage of the disease is visualized by a decrease in bone density;
• further defect of bone tissue is clearly visible;
• exfoliation of the periosteum with build-up;
• formation of thin bony needle needles;
• sclerotic changes in the bones;
• pathological fractures, if they occur;
• formation of new blood vessels inside the affected area (vascularization);
• X-rays of the lungs determine the presence of metastases.

Osteogenic sarcoma - prognosis

Earlier the prognosis for oncology of this type was extremely negative, as osteosarcoma is characterized by rapid development and early metastasis. In view of the emergence of new methods of early diagnosis and radical therapy, the survival of patients has increased significantly and varies between 65%. In many ways the success of treatment depends on certain factors before and after medical intervention:

• the size and location of tumor formation or localization of osteogenic sarcoma;
• stage of neoplasm development;
• the physical condition of the patient;
• the effectiveness of the operation to remove the tumor;
• positive dynamics after the application of chemotherapy.

Osteogenic sarcoma - treatment

In the recent past, the only method of treating bone oncology was amputation of the limb or most of the affected organ. The modern system of using chemotherapy before and after surgery allows in some cases to avoid this procedure. Osteosarcoma therapy consists of three main methods:

1. Surgical intervention. The operation is to remove the tumor. By results of researches, this procedure includes either excision of sarcoma with preservation of a limb, or amputation. Part of the removed bone fragment is replaced with a plastic or metal implant. An osteogenic sarcoma of the spine, pelvic bones and skull is considered unworkable. Surgical removal of metastases in the lungs.

2. Chemotherapy. This method of treatment is performed before and after the operation. In the first case, the drug is used to suppress and reduce the growth of the tumor itself. Postoperative chemotherapy is performed in accordance with the indicators of the previous one. An evaluation of the reaction of the neoplasm to the action of the drug is also conducted. Chemicals are very toxic and have pronounced side effects:

• nausea;
• vomiting;
• hair loss;
• disturbance of the function of body systems.

3. Radiation therapy. Bone formation consists of a variety of cells that are characteristic of other types of oncology. Therefore, this pathology is designated as a polymorphous cell osteogenic sarcoma. The use of radiation therapy in this case is ineffective and is used after a sparing operation or to relieve the pain syndrome in case of relapse of the disease.