Living with Bone osteosarcoma
The most common type of bone cancer, often starting in the larger bones near the knee or shoulder.
Understanding Bone osteosarcoma
Boys and girls are affected about equally until late adolescence, when boys are more common. It rarely occurs in adults. It tends to start in larger bones like the shin or thigh near the knee, or the upper arm near the shoulder, but can occur in any bone. There are several variants.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Pain
- Swelling of the joint
- Breakdown of bone (osteolysis)
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Broken bone without a clear injury
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include bone and joint specialists and cancer specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, Sarcoma Alliance and Sarcoma Foundation of America may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Bone and joint specialists (orthopedists or orthopedic surgeons); Cancer specialists (oncologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, Sarcoma Alliance, Sarcoma Foundation of America
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
The cause is not known. In some cases it runs in families, and at least one gene has been linked to a higher risk.
Also known as: osteogenic sarcoma; osteosarcoma; osteosarcoma of bone; osteosarcoma, somatic; osteosarcoma, somatic mutation; primary osteosarcoma of bone
Patient organizations
- Alex's Lemonade Stand FoundationBone osteosarcoma · United States
- Sarcoma AllianceBone osteosarcoma · United States
- Sarcoma Foundation of AmericaBone osteosarcoma · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Bone osteosarcoma.
Explore research for Bone osteosarcoma
Explore actively recruiting Bone osteosarcoma studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Bone osteosarcoma with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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