Osteosarcoma medical therapy
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Osteosarcoma Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Osteosarcoma medical therapy On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Osteosarcoma medical therapy |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Osteosarcoma medical therapy |
Overview
Family physicians and orthopedists rarely see a malignant bone tumor (most bone tumors are benign). Thus, many patients are initially misdiagnosed with cysts or muscle problems, and some are sent straight to physical therapy without an x-ray.
The route to osteosarcoma diagnosis usually begins with an x-ray, continues with a combination of scans (CT scan, PET scan, bone scan, MRI) and ends with a surgical biopsy. Much can be seen on films, but the biopsy is the only definitive proof that a bone tumor is indeed malignant or benign.
The biopsy of suspected osteosarcoma should be performed by a qualified orthopedic oncologist. The American Cancer Society states: "Probably in no other cancer is it as important to perform this procedure properly. An improperly performed biopsy may make it difficult to save the affected limb from amputation."