【Major Points】
- Standard treatment for osteosarcoma includes a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.
- Osteosarcoma will appear in the skeletal system throughout the body.
- Pain is a common symptom of osteosarcoma and often worsens at night.
- Pain relief requires the proper use of painkillers along with non-drug methods of pain management.
- Tumor cells in osteosarcoma weaken the bones, which increases the risk of pathological fractures.
Ⅰ. What is osteosarcoma?
Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant tumor in children, which usually occurs in skeletal system of adolescent, especially in long bones, thighs, legs, or arms, and maybe metastasis to other organs, such as lung, brain or kidney.
- Persistent local pain: It is the most common symptom. The pain persists even at rest and tends to worsen at night.
- Localized masses: Bone tumors grow rapidly, leading to localized swelling of the skin or the masses.
- Pathological fractures: Damage from tumor cells weakens the bones, reducing their ability to bear weight or withstand external forces, making fractures likely even with minimal impact or routine movements.
- Movement dysfunction: Pain or bone tumors may compress muscles and nerves, impairing movement functions and causing symptoms such as limping, difficulty walking(limping while walking), or inability to climb stairs.
- Others: Symptoms include weight loss, decreased appetite, fever, or localized warmth at the affected area.The presence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean osteosarcoma. If you experience any of them, please consult the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic.
Standard treatment combines surgery and chemotherapy. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, chemotherapy is administered several times to shrink the tumor. Then, tumor removal surgery is scheduled. After the operation, chemotherapy is given again.
Ⅳ. How do we care for ourselves if diagnosed with osteosarcoma?
- Pain relief: Use painkillers in combination with non-drug methods, such as listening to music or reading, to help shift attention away from the pain.
- Encourage children to openly express their thoughts and feelings, and provide comforting reassurance.
- Infection prevention: Immunity decreases after chemotherapy. Before returning home, it is important to learn how to prevent infections and manage daily care. For example: wear masks in public and wash hands frequently. If you experience symptoms such as high fever, dizziness, pale face, or persistent bleeding, seek medical attention immediately.
- Nutrition: Proper calcium and protein intake after surgery supports wound healing. Consult a nutritionist for guidance when necessary.
- Rehabilitation plan: Practice using walking aids before surgical treatment. After surgery, early mobilization and walking will be encouraged. Progressive assisted training by a rehabilitation specialist will be provided to help children regain their independent self-care abilities.
- Multidisciplinary team: As children's bones are still developing, professionals from various disciplines collaboratively formulate the treatment plan to ensure comprehensive and holistic care.
Eaton, B. R., Schwarz, R., Vatner, R., Yeh, B., Claude, L., Indelicato, D. J., & Laack, N. (2021).Osteosarcoma. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 68, e28352. https://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.28352
Nguyen, J. C., Baghdadi, S., Pogoriler, J., Guariento, A., Rajapakse, C. S., & Arkader, A. (2022). Pediatric Osteosarcoma: Correlation of Imaging Findings with Histopathologic Features, Treatment, and Outcome. Radiographics : a review publication of the Radiological Society of North America, Inc, 42(4), 1196–1213. https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.210171
Wang, K. C., Lee, T. Y., Wu, S. Y., Wu, W. W., Lin, M. H., Chen, Y. C., Tseng, C. Y., Tseng, T. H., Liang, S. H., Liu, C. C., & Liao, A. H. (2023). CHAPTER19 Nursing of children with cancer. In Chen, Y. C., (Ed.), Practical Pediatric Nursing: Fundamental Perspectives (First edition, pp. 774-776). Farseeing.
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- Smoking and chewing betel nut significantly induce oral cancer. Obesity will potentially increase the risk of breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Please control body weight and keep away from tobacco and betel nut.
- Information provided above can’t overcome physician's treatment and replace physician patient relationship.
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