Metastases refers to the spread of cancer from its original site to other parts of the body. About 10 to 20 percent of all patients have metastases when they are diagnosed. The most common location for metastases are the lungs. Other sites may be the kidneys, adrenal glands, lining of the lungs, other bones and the cardiac muscle. Osteogenic sarcoma is treated by chemotherapy and surgery.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells.
In the past it has shown that surgery alone is not enough in treating osteogenic sarcoma. Chemotherapy not only destroys cancer cells, but also affects the growth of normal cells and therefore has side effects which will be explained to you. Your doctor will discuss surgical options with you. While limb salvage procedures avoid amputation, they have their own potential risks and complications. You will be able to discuss the best course of action for your child with both your oncologist and an orthopedic surgeon who is skilled in performing these surgeries.