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Osteosarcoma is the most common type of cancer that starts in the bone. The cancer cells produce abnormal bone material, typically forming aggressive tumors in the long bones of the body, most often around the knee or shoulder.
read more about osteosarcoma ...The malignant tumor is defined by the fact that the cancerous cells are actively making abnormal, unorganized bone tissue (osteoid) instead of normal mature bone. This process causes the tumor to grow rapidly and is what differentiates it from other types of bone cancer. The cancer typically begins near the growth plates of long bones, such as the femur (thigh bone) or humerus (upper arm bone), and is most common in children, adolescents, and young adults.
Main indicators include persistent pain in the bone, often worsening at night or with activity, and localized swelling or a palpable lump over the affected area. Because the tumor weakens the bone, a sudden fracture without a major fall can also appear early in the course of the disease. The pain is usually constant and does not improve with rest or standard pain medication, signaling the need for urgent medical evaluation to confirm the diagnosis and staging.
Diagnosis involves imaging (X-rays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to locate the tumor, and a necessary biopsy to confirm the type of cancer cells. Treatment involves chemotherapy (to shrink the tumor), followed by surgery (to remove the tumor) and often further chemotherapy.
Osteosarcoma rarely impacts vision. In extremely rare cases, the tumor can originate in the bones surrounding the eye (the orbit). An orbital tumor can cause proptosis (bulging of the eye), double vision, pain, and loss of sight due to pressure on the optic nerve.
Chemotherapy plays a central role. It is used before surgery to shrink the tumor (making removal easier) and after surgery to eliminate any cancer cells that may have spread throughout the body.
Yes, localized osteosarcoma has a good prognosis, but the chance of cure depends on whether the cancer has spread.
Yes, persistent pain in the bone, often worsening at night, is the most common early symptom.
Most cases are sporadic, but a small percentage are linked to rare inherited syndromes like Li-Fraumeni.
See an orthopedic oncologist for a firm lump near a joint (most commonly the knee). If you have a history of "Retinoblastoma" (eye cancer) as a child, you are at a significantly higher genetic risk for developing osteosarcoma later in life and need lifelong monitoring.
National Cancer Institute. Osteosarcoma (cancer.gov). 2025.
American Cancer Society. Osteosarcoma Overview (cancer.org). 2025.
Mayo Clinic. Osteosarcoma Symptoms (mayoclinic.org). 2025.
AAO. Retinoblastoma and Secondary Cancers (aao.org). 2024.