Osteogenic Sarcoma
Also called osteosarcoma, osteogenic sarcoma is one of the most common types of bone cancer in children.
Did You Know?
Osteogenic sarcoma accounts for 60 percent of all malignant, or cancerous, bone tumors.
The disease usually occurs in the long bones, such as the arms (humerus), legs (femur/tibia) and pelvis. It rarely occurs in the jaw and fingers, but often occurs at the ends of these bones near growth plates. Osteosarcoma
most often affects adolescents and young adults.
Osteogenic sarcoma cancer cells can also spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body. Most commonly, these cells spread to the lungs and other bone sites. Rarely, other sites can be involved.
“Osteo” most commonly occurs in the second decade of life. This has been linked to the rapid growth spurts that children experience during puberty. Often children with osteogenic sarcoma are tall compared to their peers.
- Females are at a higher risk for osteogenic sarcoma before or early in puberty because of their advanced development.
- However, the number of osteogenic sarcoma cases in males gets larger throughout puberty while the number in females stays about the same.
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