Medication
Treatment is best done at a children’s cancer center. For adults with osteosarcoma, the treatment team typically includes the patient’s primary care doctor, as well as specialists at a major cancer center. Doctors on the treatment team might include:
Procedures
If the osteosarcoma has spread to other parts of the body, these tumors need to be removed to have a chance at curing the cancer. If osteosarcoma spreads, most often it goes to the lungs. if surgery can be done to remove these metastases, it must be planned very carefully.
Nutrition
Surgery. Wide local excision: Surgery to remove the cancer and some healthy tissue around it. Limb-sparing surgery: Removal of the tumor in a limb (arm or leg) without amputation, so the use and appearance of the limb is saved. Most patients with osteosarcoma in a limb can be treated with limb-sparing surgery.
See more
Approximately 800 new cases of osteosarcoma are reported each year in the U.S. Of these cases, about 400 are in children and teens. It happens slightly more often in males than in females. Osteosarcoma most commonly happens in the long bones around the knee.
Where can I get treatment for osteosarcoma?
Can osteosarcoma be cured?
What are the different types of surgery for osteosarcoma?
What is the rate of incidence for osteosarcoma?
How much does it cost to treat a cancer patient?
Some cancer patients may face out-of-pocket costs of nearly $12,000 a year for one drug. In 2014, cancer patients paid $4 billion out-of-pocket for cancer treatment. Newly approved cancer drugs cost an average of $10,000 per month, with some as high as $30,000 per month. Just over a decade ago, the average was $4,500.
How much does it cost to get a tumor removed?
The costs per surgery vary greatly, depending on the hospital, insurance coverage and type of procedure. A 2014 study examining the costs of surgery involving various types of cancer found average costs ranging from $14,161 to $56,587.
How much does chemo cost per treatment?
Expect to pay $650, not including doctor fee or drug fee, for one hour of chemotherapy IV infusion, and about an additional $160 for each additional hour of treatment, with the same drug or another drug. They charge about $780 for chemotherapy administration into the central nervous system, including a spinal puncture.
What is the standard treatment for osteosarcoma?
Osteosarcoma treatment typically involves surgery and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy might be an option in certain situations.
Does insurance cover chemo?
The short answer: yes, health insurance covers chemotherapy. In fact, insurance covers most cancer treatments that aren't considered experimental. But chemo isn't a single drug or treatment, and health insurance doesn't cover everything.
Is radiation cheaper than chemo?
From a healthcare perspective, chemoradiation was considered to be more costly than radiotherapy for treating stage IIB-IIIB cervical cancer patients. However, the effectiveness of chemoradiation was higher than that of radiotherapy, and the ICER was $48.6 per %CR.
How much does chemotherapy cost out of pocket?
Average chemotherapy cost Generally, if you have health insurance, you can expect to pay 10 to 15 percent of chemo costs out of pocket, according to CostHelper.com. If you don't have health insurance, you might pay between $10,000 to $200,000 or more. The total price of chemotherapy also depends on: Type of cancer.
Are chemo pills expensive?
Under the ACA by 2020, patients will only be responsible for 25 percent of their prescription-drug costs currently associated with the doughnut hole. The average price for a 30-day supply of oral chemotherapy medication was slightly more than $10,000 in 2014, according to Medicare data.
Does Medicare pay for chemo?
Medicare covers chemotherapy if you have cancer. Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care. covers it if you're a hospital inpatient. Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
Is osteosarcoma a death sentence?
If the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, the 5-year survival rate is 38%. The 5-year survival rate of people with osteosarcoma is 60%. If the cancer is diagnosed at the localized stage, the 5-year survival rate is 74%.
How long is chemo for osteosarcoma?
Most osteosarcomas are treated with chemo before surgery (known as neoadjuvant chemotherapy) for about 10 weeks. In some people with osteosarcoma in an arm or leg bone, this can shrink the tumor, which might help make surgery easier.
Can you beat osteosarcoma?
The most common forms of treatment for osteosarcoma are: Surgery: During surgery, the tumor and some of the healthy tissue around it will be cut out of the affected bone. In most cases involving the arm or leg, surgery can be done without amputation. This is called limb-salvage surgery.
How long does tumor removal surgery take?
If your surgeon is only performing a biopsy, the surgery typically takes 2-3 hours. If your surgeon is performing a craniotomy and removal of your tumor, the surgery typically takes 4-6 hours. If your surgeon using a transsphenoidal approach to remove your tumor, the surgery typically takes 3-4 hours.
How are tumors removed?
Tumor removal generally requires a larger incision, or cut, than a biopsy. Sometimes, there are less invasive surgical options for tumor removal, like laparoscopic surgery or robotic surgery. These use small instruments and incisions. With a less invasive surgery, you usually have less pain and recover faster.
Do benign tumors grow?
Benign tumors tend to grow slowly and have distinct borders. Benign tumors are not usually problematic. However, they can become large and compress structures nearby, causing pain or other medical complications.
How much does a vet charge to remove a tumor?
On average, the cost of lipoma removal surgery ranges from $200 to $600 per mass. If the problematic lipoma is located in a more out of reach part of the body, like intramuscularly or on an internal organ, that price can jump to at least $1,000.
What is the best treatment for osteosarcoma?
A team approach is recommended when treating osteosarcoma. For children and teens, this team includes the child’s pediatrician as well as children’s cancer specialists. Treatment is best done at a children’s cancer center. For adults with osteosarcoma, the treatment team typically includes the patient’s primary care doctor, as well as specialists at a major cancer center. Doctors on the treatment team might include: 1 An orthopedic surgeon (a surgeon who specializes in muscles and bones) who is experienced in treating bone tumors 2 A medical or pediatric oncologist (a doctor who treats cancer with chemotherapy and other drugs) 3 A radiation oncologist (a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy) 4 A physiatrist (a doctor specializing in rehabilitation and physical therapy)
What kind of doctor treats bone tumors?
Doctors on the treatment team might include: An orthopedic surgeon (a surgeon who specializes in muscles and bones) who is experienced in treating bone tumors. A medical or pediatric oncologist (a doctor who treats cancer with chemotherapy and other drugs) A radiation oncologist (a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy) ...
Do children's cancer centers have clinical trials?
Children’s cancer centers often conduct many clinical trials at any one time, and in fact most children treated at these centers take part in a clinical trial as part of their treatment. Adults with cancer also typically have the option to participate in clinical trials as a way to get state-of-the art cancer treatment.
Is osteosarcoma a serious disease?
Treatment for osteosarcoma is often effective, but it can also cause serious side effects. It’s important to discuss all treatment options as well as their possible side effects with the cancer care team so you can make an informed decision. It’s also very important to ask questions if you’re not sure about anything.
Is treatment information given here official policy of the American Cancer Society?
The treatment information given here is not official policy of the American Cancer Society and is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your cancer care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor.
Is it important to ask questions about osteosarcoma?
It’s also very important to ask questions if you’re not sure about anything. If time allows, getting a second opinion from another doctor experienced in treating osteosarcoma is often a good idea. This can give you more information and help you feel more confident about the treatment plan you choose.
Is chemo given before or after surgery?
Most often, chemotherapy is given both before and after surgery. It can help lower the risk that the cancer will come back after treatment. It might also allow the surgeon to do a less extensive operation to remove the cancer. Radiation therapy is used less often. Treatment Based on the Extent of the Osteosarcoma.
How to treat localized osteosarcoma?
Treatment of newly diagnosed localized osteosarcoma and UPS of bone may include the following: Surgery to remove the primary tumor. Chemotherapy may be given before or after surgery to remove the primary tumor. Radiation therapy if surgery cannot be done or if the tumor was not completely removed by surgery.
How to treat osteosarcoma and UPS?
Newly diagnosed osteosarcoma and UPS may spread to a distant bone and/or the lung. Treatment may include the following: Chemotherapy followed by surgery to remove the primary tumor and the cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. More chemotherapy is given after surgery.
How to treat osteosarcoma and lung metastasis?
Treatment of newly diagnosed osteosarcoma and UPS with lung metastasis may include the following: Chemotherapy followed by surgery to remove the primary cancer. This is followed by postoperative combination chemotherapy, then surgery to remove the cancer in the lung and more postoperative chemotherapy.
What is the term for a disease in which malignant cells form in bone?
Osteosarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) of bone are diseases in which malignant (cancer) cells form in bone. Having past treatment with chemotherapy or radiation can increase the risk of osteosarcoma.
What is the most common type of bone cancer?
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer. UPS (formerly called malignant fibrous histiocytoma [MFH]) is a rare type of bone cancer that usually starts in soft tissue, but it may form in bone. In bone, UPS cells look similar to osteosarcoma under a microscope. UPS is treated like osteosarcoma.
How long does it take for osteosarcoma to come back?
Osteosarcoma and UPS most often recur in the lung, bone, or both. When osteosarcoma recurs, it is usually within 18 months after treatment is completed.
What are the signs of osteosarcoma?
Signs and symptoms of osteosarcoma and UPS include swelling over a bone or a bony part of the body and joint pain. Imaging tests are used to detect (find) osteosarcoma and UPS. A biopsy is done to diagnose osteosarcoma. Certain factors may affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
Surgery
Surgery is usually the first-line treatment option for osteosarcoma. The goal of surgery is to remove all of the cancer to prevent the risk of the cancer recurring or spreading.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is frequently used in combination with surgery to treat osteosarcoma to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.
Radiation
Radiation (targeted high-energy rays that destroy cancer cells) is not typically used to treat osteosarcoma. This is because osteosarcoma cells are not easily killed by radiation.
Targeted Therapy
There are some new medications that doctors are researching and studying that work differently than chemotherapy. These medications are known to target specific molecules in cancer cells that lead to tumor growth.
A Word From Verywell
An osteosarcoma diagnosis can be life changing and overwhelming. But remember that there are many treatment options that can help.
How is osteosarcoma treated?
Specific treatment for osteosarcoma will be determined by your healthcare provider based on: Surgery (for example, biopsy, resections, bone/skin grafts, limb salvage procedures, reconstructions, or amputation) Many patients, particularly those with higher-grade tumors, will receive a combination of treatments.
Where does osteosarcoma occur?
Osteosarcoma most commonly happens in the long bones around the knee. Other sites for osteosarcoma include the upper leg, or thighbone, the lower leg, upper arm bone, or any bone in the body, including those in the pelvis, shoulder, and skull. Osteosarcoma may grow into nearby tissues, such as tendons or muscles.
What is osteosarcoma in children?
What is osteosarcoma? Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that usually develops in the osteoblast cells that form bone . It happens most often in children, adolescents, and young adults. Approximately 800 new cases of osteosarcoma are reported each year in the U.S.
What are the risk factors for osteosarcoma?
Suggested risk factors for osteosarcoma include the following: Teenage growth spurts. Being tall for a specific age. Previous treatment with radiation for another cancer, especially at a young age or with high doses of radiation. Presence of certain benign (noncancerous) bone diseases. Presence of certain rare, inherited disorders, ...
How do you know if you have osteosarcoma?
Symptoms may include: Pain in the affected bone. Swelling around the affected site. Increased pain with activity or lifting. Limping.
Can osteosarcoma spread to other organs?
Osteosarcoma may grow into nearby tissues, such as tendons or muscles. It may also spread, or metastasize, through the bloodstream to other organs or bones in the body.
Is continuous follow up necessary for osteosarcoma?
Continuous follow-up care is essential for a person diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Side effects of radiation and chemotherapy, including second cancers, can happen in survivors. New methods are continually being discovered to improve treatment and decrease side effects.
What is the procedure for osteosarcoma?
Surgery for Osteosarcoma. Surgery is an important part of treatment for almost all osteosarcomas. It includes: The biopsy to diagnose the cancer. The removal of the tumor (s) Whenever possible, it’s very important that the biopsy and the surgery to remove the tumor be planned together, and that an experienced orthopedic surgeon does both ...
What is the biggest problem teens have with osteosarcoma?
Perhaps the biggest problem can be for teens, who may worry about the social effects of their operation. Emotional issues can be very important, and support and encouragement are needed for all patients. (See Living as an Osteosarcoma Survivor .)
How long does it take to walk after limb salvage surgery?
It takes about a year, on average, for patients to learn to walk after limb-salvage surgery on a leg. Physical rehabilitation after limb-salvage surgery is more intense than after amputation, and it’s extremely important.
How does a surgeon determine how much of a leg needs to be amputated?
The surgeon determines how much of the arm or leg needs to be amputated based on the results of MRI scans and an examination of removed tissue by the pathologist during the surgery.
Can osteosarcoma be removed from the legs?
The type of surgery done depends mainly on the location and size of the tumor. Although all operations to remove osteosarcomas are complex, tumors in the limbs (arms or legs) are generally not as hard to remove as those in the jaw bone, at the base of the skull, in the spine, or in the pelvic (hip) bone.
Does osteosarcoma cause long term side effects?
Long-term side effects: The long-term side effects of surgery depend mainly on where the tumor is and what type of operation is done. Most osteosarcomas occur in bones of the arms or legs, and some of the long-term issues from surgery on these tumors are described above.
Can you have limb saving surgery on your arms?
Limb-salvage surgery. Most patients with tumors in the arms or legs can have limb-sparing surgery, but this depends on where the tumor is , how big it is , and whether it has grown into nearby structures. Limb-salvage surgery is a very complex operation.
What is the treatment for osteosarcoma?
Surgery is used to treat osteosarcoma tumours after chemotherapy. The type of surgery you have depends mainly on where the tumour is, how big it is and how much it has responded to chemotherapy.
What is the procedure to remove a bone tumor from the arm?
Limb-sparing surgery removes the tumour without removing (amputating) the whole arm or leg (the limb). Surgeons remove all of the tumour and any of the soft tissues where the bone cancer has spread. After this type of surgery, the limb is reconstructed using bone and skin grafts. Limb-sparing surgery may be used to treat osteosarcoma in the arm, leg and pelvis.
Why is chemo given before surgery?
Chemotherapy is given before surgery to shrink the bone tumour and to treat any cancer cells that may have started to spread in the body. It is also given after surgery. If the bone tumour does not respond to the chemotherapy given before surgery, your healthcare team may use a different drug combination after surgery.
What is radiation therapy used for?
Radiation therapy is also used to treat pain and control the symptoms of osteosarcoma that has metastasized or come back (recurred).
Can osteosarcoma be removed with surgery?
Surgery for metastases may be used to treat osteosarcoma that has come back (recurred) as lung metastas es if it has been more than a year since treatment ended. If surgery is an option for lung metastases, doctors will often use a wedge resection to remove the tumours along with a triangle-shaped piece of the lung around the tumour. Other options are removing a lobe of the lung or the whole lung. Surgery to remove metastases is often done at the same time as surgery to remove the primary bone tumour.
Can osteosarcoma be treated with radiation?
External beam radiation therapy may be used to treat osteosarcoma after surgery if the tumour wasn’t completely removed. It may be used instead of surgery if the tumour can’t be removed with surgery.
Where to take care of osteosarcoma patients?
Therefore, care of individuals with osteosarcoma is usually best undertaken in a multidisciplinary cancer center where the resources and personnel requisite to the care of these complex patients are most readily available.
How long does it take to get a neo adjuvant for osteosarcoma?
Most patients with high grade tumors receive about three months of chemotherapy, known as neo-adjuvant therapy, before surgery.
What is prognosis statistics?
Prognosis statistics are based on the study of groups of osteosarcoma patients. These statistics cannot predict the future of an individual patient, but they can be useful in considering the most appropriate treatment and follow-up for a patient.
How long do osteosarcoma patients live without metastases?
With current treatment regimens, patients with osteosarcoma without detectable metastases have survival rates that approach 70% . Factors that seem to negatively impact prognosis are site (axial locations fare worse), larger tumor size, poor response to chemotherapy and presence of metastatic disease (Bielack 2002). The most consistent and clinically relevant of these is presence of detectable metastases (Bielack 2002, Marina 1993, Meyers 1993). Patients presenting with resectable pulmonary lesions have about a 30-50% chance of survival (Bacci 1997). Those with unresectable pulmonary metastases, lesions unresponsive to chemotherapy or multiple bone lesions continue to fare much worse, regardless of treatment (Ferguson 2001, Bacci 1996, Meyers 1993).
What is the name of the cancer that produces bone?
Osteosarcoma is the name given to a heterogeneous group of malignant spindle cell tumors that have as their common feature the production of immature bone, also known as osteoid. The degree of malignancy, and thus the tendency to metastasize (or spread), is determined by the histologic grade (how the tumor appears under the microscope). Sarcomas in this family range from those in which a cure can be achieved with surgery alone to those that are highly lethal, even with the most aggressive therapeutic interventions. While cure rates may approach 65-70% with multimodal therapy in patients with focal disease, the course of therapy may prove long and arduous, often lasting a year or more. As survival rates continue to improve, new challenges regarding the long-term care of osteosarcoma patients on several fronts continue to arise. Therefore, care of individuals with osteosarcoma is usually best undertaken in a multidisciplinary cancer center where the resources and personnel requisite to the care of these complex patients are most readily available. The following discussion will focus on classic high-grade osteosarcoma with references made to various subtypes as appropriate. It is also important to note that this discussion is in no way intended to be exhaustive, rather it is a review of current thought to aid communication between patient and physician.
How to diagnose osteosarcoma?
An x-ray is often the first diagnostic test that osteosarcoma patients receive, and an experienced radiologist may recognize immediately that bone cancer is the likely diagnosis. There are several additional tests that are a critical part of osteosarcoma diagnosis and staging: 1 An MRI of the entire bone where the primary tumor is located. This test can rule out "skip metastases" (spread of the tumor to other areas of the bone). 2 A chest x-ray and CT scan of the chest to detect lung metastases 3 A bone scan of the body to rule out distant spread of the disease 4 A biopsy of the tumor, which provides a definite diagnosis based on the characteristics of tumor tissue seen under a microscope. The biopsy will also show whether the tumor is high grade (highly malignant, which is the case for most osteosarcomas) or low grade.
What is the best test for osteosarcoma?
There are several additional tests that are a critical part of osteosarcoma diagnosis and staging: An MRI of the entire bone where the primary tumor is located . This test can rule out "skip metastases" (spread of the tumor to other areas of the bone). A chest x-ray and CT scan of the chest to detect lung metastases.
How much does bone cancer cost out of pocket?
For patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket costs for bone cancer treatment typically consist of doctor visit, lab and prescription drug copays as well as coinsurance of 10%-50% for surgery and other procedures, which can easily reach the yearly out-of-pocket maximum.
How to diagnose bone cancer?
What should be included: 1 In order to diagnose [ 7] bone cancer, a doctor will likely order one or more imaging tests, such as an MRI or X-ray. A doctor may also order a biopsy for surrounding skin to see if the cancer has spread. 2 Surgery [ 8] may be required to amputate all or part of an affected limb, with the patient fitted for a prosthetic limb thereafter. In some instances the limb may be spared, or the lost bone replaced from bone elsewhere in the body. Radiation or chemotherapy may be recommended if the cancer cannot be surgically removed.
What tests are needed to diagnose bone cancer?
What should be included: In order to diagnose [ 7] bone cancer, a doctor will likely order one or more imaging tests, such as an MRI or X-ray. A doctor may also order a biopsy for surrounding skin to see if the cancer has spread.
What is the discount for uninsured patients?
Many hospitals offer discounts of 30% of more to uninsured/cash-paying patients. At St. Joseph Hospital [ 12] in Orange, CA, for example, patients without health insurance may qualify for a 45% discount off billed charges. The hospital also offers an additional 10% discount if payment is made within 10 days of the patient receiving the bill.
Where does bone cancer occur?
Bone cancer [ 1] can affect any bone in the body but typically occurs in the long bones of the arms and legs. It is a relatively uncommon disease, making up less than 1% of all cancers, and does not have a clear cause, though the National Cancer Institute [ 2] reports there may be a hereditary component. Children are more susceptible ...
Is bone cancer covered by insurance?
Bone cancer treatment typically is covered by health insurance. According to the American Cancer Society [ 3] , the cost of cancer treatment depends on the type of treatment, how long it lasts, how often it's administered, and whether the patient is treated at home, in a clinic, in the doctor's office, or in the hospital.
Can bone cancer be removed surgically?
Radiation or chemotherapy may be recommended if the cancer cannot be surgically removed . Since bone cancer can return following treatment, and because bone cancer survivors are at increased risk of developing another type of cancer later in life, patients will need to have regular check-ups, blood tests and X-rays.
Treatment
Clinical Trials
Coping and Support
Preparing For Your Appointment
