DESCRIPTION
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
PT IMPLICATIONS
(click here to see references)
- Osteosarcoma is a rare primary malignant tumor of bone. There is a presence of malignant cells that produce bone. It is the 3rd most common neoplasm in adolescents and young adults, with a peak incidence in the 2nd decade of life, during adolescent growth spurt.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
- Pain (nonmechanical and may occur at night, may be present for many months and may be assumed to be from more common sources such as muscle soreness, overuse or “growing pains”
- Swelling or a palpable mass
- Decrease in movement of the affected limb, and a limp may be noted if a lower limb is affected
- Pathological fracture is a presenting feature in 10-15% of pediatric osteosarcoma patients
- Usually present to physical therapy after surgical management, which may be an amputation or a limb salvage procedure
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
- Conventional radiographs (usually done prior to oncology referral and to examine lesion site post chemotherapy)
- Advanced imaging (MRI, CT)
- CT of lungs is generally performed to assess for lung metastases
- Whole body bone scintigraphy may be performed to detect lesions elsewhere in the skeleton
- Biopsy
- Baseline renal and cardiac function tests and audiograms may be performed due to the potential for chemotherapy to cause dysfunction in these systems
PT IMPLICATIONS
- Improve function
- Minimize disability caused by osteosarcoma and its treatment
- Decrease the care required by these patinets
- Improve quality of life
- Rule out other bone cancers
(click here to see references)