CAT scans and MRI studies will help define the lesion and a bone scan and chest CAT scan are performed to look for metastases. This is then followed by a carefully planned biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Typically chemotherapy is given to the patient which is highly toxic. The patient will lose their hair and have nausea from the treatment. Long term problems of heart damage and hearing loss as well as other nerve damage can occur.
Sterility is possible.
After the initial treatment is completed, surgical removal of the tumor is required. Most patients today are able to have a limb sparing or 'salvage' operation where amputations are not necessary. Unfortunately, some patients have tumors are too large or aggressive and do require an amputation. If a patient lives more than five years after the diagnosis with an osteosarcoma, they have a very high chance of never having a relapse of disease.