Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer in children. The average age at diagnosis is 15 years. Boys and girls are just as likely to develop this tumor until the late teens, after which it occurs more often in boys. Osteosarcoma is also common in people over age 60.

The cause is not known. In some cases, osteosarcoma runs in families. At least one gene has been linked to an increased risk. This gene is also associated with familial retinoblastoma. This is a cancer of the eye that occurs in children.

Osteosarcoma tends to occur in the bones of the:

• Shin (near the knee)
• Thigh (near the knee)
• Upper arm (near the shoulder)

Osteosarcoma occurs most commonly in large bones in the area of bone with the fastest growth rate. However, it can occur in any bone.

The first symptom is usually bone pain near a joint. This symptom may be overlooked, especially in young people, because of other more common causes of joint pain.

Other symptoms may include any of the following:

• Bone fracture (may occur after a routine movement)
• Limitation of motion
• Limping (if the tumor is in the leg)
• Pain when lifting (if the tumor is in the arm)
• Tenderness, swelling, or redness at the site of the tumor

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history and symptoms.

Tests that may be done include:

• Biopsy (at time of surgery for diagnosis)
• Blood tests
• Bone scan to see if the cancer has spread to other bones
• CT scan of the chest to see if the cancer has spread to the lungs
• MRI scan
• PET scan
• X-ray

Treatment usually starts after a biopsy of the tumor is done.

Before surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both is usually given. This can shrink the tumor and make surgery easier. It may also kill any cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body.

Surgery is used after chemotherapy to remove any remaining tumor. In most cases, surgery can remove the tumor while saving the affected limb. This is called limb-sparing surgery. In rare cases, more extensive surgery (such as amputation) is necessary.

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you and your family not feel alone.

If the tumor has not spread to the lungs (pulmonary metastasis), long-term survival rates are better. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the outlook is worse. However, there is still a chance of cure with effective treatment.

Complications may include:

• Limb removal
• Spread of cancer to the lungs
• Side effects of chemotherapy

Contact your provider if you or your child has persistent bone pain, tenderness, or swelling.

Osteogenic sarcoma; Bone tumor - osteosarcoma

Anderson ME, DuBois SG, Gebhardt MC. Sarcomas of bone. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 89.

National Cancer Institute website. Osteosarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/bone/hp/osteosarcoma-treatment-pdq. Updated December 2, 2024. Accessed March 18, 2025.

Updated by: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.