Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that typically starts in the ends of growing bones, most often in children and young adults. It is frequently found in the arms and legs, but can be found in any bone.
Overview
The first symptoms your child may experience could be bone pain, swelling, a broken bone, or fatigue. Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer. It can be classified as high (most common), intermediate, or low grade (very rare), depending on how the cells look under the microscope. This determines how likely the disorder is to grow and spread to other parts of the body.
Our approach
M Health Fairview physicians diagnose and treat more patients with sarcomas than any other pediatric center in Minnesota. Our program offers comprehensive treatment under one roof, something unique in the Twin Cities. We can provide your child with a customized treatment plan that addresses his or her specific needs.
In addition to treating patients using conventional approaches such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, our internationally recognized bone and soft tissue cancer team also utilizes innovative surgical and medical treatment options including modular megaprostheses, custom implants, bone transplants, and expandable bone implants, computerized navigated surgery, intra-operative CAT scans, and clinical trials for new drugs or targeted therapeutic agents.
We were the first to develop continuous infusion ifosfamide and paclitaxel for sarcoma and among the few to offer RANKL antibody chemotherapy for giant-cell bone tumors. We also are successful in limb-salvage procedures, resulting in fewer amputations than national averages.
In addition, the University of Minnesota houses the only National Cancer Institute-funded Children’s Oncology Group phase 1 program in Minnesota. This means we offer more clinical trials than any other children’s hospital in the state. New treatments are discovered and applied here first, often becoming national standards of care. Ask your child’s physician about participating in a clinical trial.