Childhood Osteosarcoma Treatment | I D Cancer Center Lucknow
What Is Childhood Osteosarcoma?
Osteosarcoma develops when immature bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) grow uncontrollably and form tumors. These tumors:
Commonly occur during growth spurts
Often affect children aged 10–18 years
May spread (metastasize) to the lungs or other bones if not treated early
Osteosarcoma develops when immature bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) grow uncontrollably and form tumors. These tumors:
Commonly occur during growth spurts
Often affect children aged 10–18 years
May spread (metastasize) to the lungs or other bones if not treated early
Common Symptoms of Osteosarcoma
Parents should watch for:
Persistent bone pain, often worse at night
Swelling or a noticeable lump around a bone or joint
Difficulty moving the affected limb
Limping (if leg involved)
Sudden fractures with minimal injury
Warmth or redness over the affected area
Any persistent bone pain in a child should not be ignored.
Parents should watch for:
Persistent bone pain, often worse at night
Swelling or a noticeable lump around a bone or joint
Difficulty moving the affected limb
Limping (if leg involved)
Sudden fractures with minimal injury
Warmth or redness over the affected area
Any persistent bone pain in a child should not be ignored.
Risk Factors
While most cases occur without a clear cause, risk factors include:
Rapid bone growth during puberty
Previous radiation therapy
Certain genetic conditions (Li-Fraumeni syndrome, retinoblastoma gene mutation)
Family history of rare cancers
While most cases occur without a clear cause, risk factors include:
Rapid bone growth during puberty
Previous radiation therapy
Certain genetic conditions (Li-Fraumeni syndrome, retinoblastoma gene mutation)
Family history of rare cancers
How Childhood Osteosarcoma Is Diagnosed
At I D Cancer Center, diagnosis follows a systematic, child-friendly approach:
At I D Cancer Center, diagnosis follows a systematic, child-friendly approach:
1. Clinical Examination
Assessing pain, swelling, mobility, and function.
Assessing pain, swelling, mobility, and function.
2. Imaging
X-ray (initial detection)
MRI (best for local extent and surgical planning)
CT scan chest (check lung spread)
PET-CT for whole-body evaluation
Bone scan (selected cases)
X-ray (initial detection)
MRI (best for local extent and surgical planning)
CT scan chest (check lung spread)
PET-CT for whole-body evaluation
Bone scan (selected cases)
3. Biopsy
A core needle biopsy or surgical biopsy confirms the diagnosis and tumor type.
A core needle biopsy or surgical biopsy confirms the diagnosis and tumor type.
4. Pathology & Molecular Testing
Determines tumor grade
Helps identify aggressive features
Guides treatment decisions
Determines tumor grade
Helps identify aggressive features
Guides treatment decisions
5. Baseline Blood Tests
Includes CBC, renal/liver profile, and alkaline phosphatase levels.
Includes CBC, renal/liver profile, and alkaline phosphatase levels.
Treatment Options at I D Cancer Center
Childhood osteosarcoma requires coordinated multidisciplinary care.
Childhood osteosarcoma requires coordinated multidisciplinary care.
1. Chemotherapy
Used before and after surgery:
Preoperative chemotherapy reduces tumor size
Postoperative chemotherapy eliminates remaining cancer cells
Used before and after surgery:
Preoperative chemotherapy reduces tumor size
Postoperative chemotherapy eliminates remaining cancer cells
2. Surgery
Goal: Complete removal of tumor while preserving function
Limb-sparing surgery (preferred)
Endoprosthetic reconstruction
Rotationplasty (selected cases)
Amputation (rare, only when necessary)
We collaborate with specialized pediatric orthopedic surgeons.
Goal: Complete removal of tumor while preserving function
Limb-sparing surgery (preferred)
Endoprosthetic reconstruction
Rotationplasty (selected cases)
Amputation (rare, only when necessary)
We collaborate with specialized pediatric orthopedic surgeons.
3. Radiation Therapy
Used when:
Surgery is not possible
Margins are positive
Palliation is needed
Advanced techniques at I D Cancer Center:
IMRT / VMAT
IGRT daily image guidance
SBRT for selected metastasis
Lung-directed radiotherapy (for metastatic nodules)
Used when:
Surgery is not possible
Margins are positive
Palliation is needed
Advanced techniques at I D Cancer Center:
IMRT / VMAT
IGRT daily image guidance
SBRT for selected metastasis
Lung-directed radiotherapy (for metastatic nodules)
4. Targeted & Immunotherapy
Used in:
Relapsed cases
Tumors with specific molecular markers
Used in:
Relapsed cases
Tumors with specific molecular markers
5. Supportive Care
Essential throughout therapy:
Pain management
Physiotherapy and limb rehabilitation
Infection control
Nutrition support
Emotional counseling for the child and family
Essential throughout therapy:
Pain management
Physiotherapy and limb rehabilitation
Infection control
Nutrition support
Emotional counseling for the child and family
6. Long-Term Follow-Up
To monitor:
Limb function
Growth and development
Lung health
Treatment-related side effects
To monitor:
Limb function
Growth and development
Lung health
Treatment-related side effects
Prognosis
Prognosis depends on:
Tumor size and location
Metastasis at diagnosis
Response to preoperative chemotherapy
Ability to achieve complete surgical removal
With modern therapies, many children achieve long-term survival and return to normal activities.
Prognosis depends on:
Tumor size and location
Metastasis at diagnosis
Response to preoperative chemotherapy
Ability to achieve complete surgical removal
With modern therapies, many children achieve long-term survival and return to normal activities.
