OLFM1
Osteosarcoma
Description
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer, accounting for approximately 56% of all primary bone malignancies. It is an aggressive tumor that most commonly affects children and adolescents, with a peak incidence between the ages of 10 and 25. Osteosarcoma arises from primitive mesenchymal cells that normally develop into bone-forming osteoblasts. These cancerous cells produce a disorganized matrix of immature bone and osteoid (unmineralized bone matrix), resulting in the characteristic appearance of osteosarcoma on medical imaging.
Associated Diseases
Osteosarcoma has been linked to several underlying medical conditions, including:
- Paget's disease of bone: A chronic bone disorder that leads to weakened and deformed bones.
- Multiple hereditary exostoses (MHE): A genetic disorder characterized by the growth of multiple bony growths (exostoses) on the bones.
- Retinoblastoma: A rare type of eye cancer that occurs in children.
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome: A rare inherited cancer predisposition syndrome that increases the risk of developing multiple types of cancer, including osteosarcoma.
Did you Know ?
Approximately 900 new cases of osteosarcoma are diagnosed in the United States each year, accounting for roughly 1.5% of all childhood cancers.
