Osteosarcoma

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Osteosarcoma is a kind of cancer. Cancer is a condition where cells grow and divide without control or order, often making a tumor (lump). Osteosarcoma is a tumor made of cells that produce bone. Osteosarcoma is commonly found inside the long bones of your body, such as your arm and leg bones. It may also grow on the surface of your bones or in soft tissues, such as muscles. Certain conditions, such as bone and genetic diseases and other cancers may increase your risk of having the cancer. Being exposed to radiation and certain chemicals may also increase your risk.
  
  
• You may see or feel a painful lump under your skin where your tumor is growing. As your tumor grows, your pain may get worse. You may feel pain at rest, and it may wake you from sleeping. Your tumor may grow large enough to damage or fracture (break) your bones. The goal of treatment is to remove your tumor and any other cancer cells in your body. Your caregiver may use chemotherapy or radiation to kill the tumor cells. You may also need surgery to remove your tumor. Having your osteosarcoma treated may help relieve your symptoms, such as pain and swelling. Osteosarcomas that are found and treated early have a higher chance of being cured.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Chemotherapy: This medicine, often called chemo, works by killing cancer cells. It is normally given through an IV into your vein. Chemo may be needed for a while after your surgery. Many different chemo medicines are used to treat cancer. Chemo can also have many side effects. Caregivers will watch you closely and work with you to decrease any side effects.
  
  
  • Folinic acid: Your caregiver may give you folinic acid with your chemo. Chemo may kill your normal cells along with your cancer cells. Folinic acid may protect the cells in your bone marrow and stomach lining from the effects of chemotherapy. Do not confuse this medicine with the vitamin folic acid.
    
    
  
  
• Antinausea medicine: This medicine may be given to calm your stomach and prevent vomiting.
  
  
• Pain medicine: You may need medicine to take away or decrease pain.
  
  
  • Learn how to take your medicine. Ask what medicine and how much you should take. Be sure you know how, when, and how often to take it.
    
    
  • Do not wait until the pain is severe before you take your medicine. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease.
    
    
  • Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling someone when you get out of bed or if you need help.

Follow-up visit information:

• You may need to have many follow-up visits with your caregiver. Your caregiver may use the following follow-up schedule after you are first diagnosed with osteosarcoma:
  
  
  • Years 1 and 2: Every 6 to 12 weeks.
    
    
  • Years 3 and 4: Every 2 to 4 months.
    
    
  • Years 5 to 10: Every 6 months.
    
    
  • Years 11 onward: Every 6 to 12 months, or as often as your caregiver feels is needed.
  
  
• During your visits, tell your caregiver about any new symptoms or side effects from your treatment. An x-ray or CT scan of your chest may be done to check for cancer in your lungs. If you have any new signs or symptoms, your caregiver may also order an x-ray or MRI of your bones. An MRI may also be done to see how well your treatment is working. You may have additional visits for treatment, such as chemo or radiation. Ask your caregiver for more information about these or other tests and treatments you may need.

Eating well with cancer and cancer treatment:

Good nutrition can:

• help you feel better during treatment and decrease treatment side effects
  
  
• decrease your risk of infection
  
  
• help you have more energy and feel stronger
  
  
• help you maintain a healthy weight and heal faster

Eat a variety of healthy foods to get the protein, carbohydrates, and other nutrients that your body needs. You may need to change the foods you eat depending on your treatments and side effects. You also may need to eat more calories than usual. Work with a dietitian to plan the best meals and snacks for you. Ask if you should add vitamins to your diet.

Drinking liquids:

Men 19 years old and older should drink about three Liters of liquid each day (about 13 eight-ounce cups). Women 19 years old and older should drink about two Liters of liquid each day (about 9 eight-ounce cups). It is especially important to drink enough liquids if you are vomiting (throwing up) from chemotherapy. Follow your caregiver's advice if you must change the amount of liquids you drink. For most people, healthy liquids to drink are water, juices, and milk. If you are used to drinking liquids that contain caffeine, such as coffee, these can also be counted in your daily liquid amount. Try to drink enough liquid each day, and not just when you feel thirsty. It may be helpful to drink liquids between your meals instead of with your meals.

Therapies you may need:

Your caregiver may have you wear an orthosis to support your limb (arm or leg) if you had surgery. An orthosis, also called an orthotic device, is a man-made brace. An orthosis may be needed after surgery so your involved limb can function as normal as possible. If you needed to have all or part of your limb amputated (removed), you may need a prothesis. A prosthesis is a man-made limb used to replace the part of your limb that was removed. You may need an orthosis or prosthesis for the rest of your life. Your caregiver may have you do therapy so that you can learn how to use these devices properly. Therapy may also help you return to your normal daily activities as soon as possible after your treatment.

• Occupational therapy: An occupational therapist teaches you skills for doing activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, and driving.
  
  
• Physical therapy: A physical therapist will help you with exercises to regain strength and the use of your limb.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You cannot make it to your follow-up visit.
  
  
• You are vomiting (throwing up) and cannot keep food or liquids down.
  
  
• You feel very weak or confused.
  
  
• You see or feel new lumps under your skin.
  
  
• You see new rashes or burns on your skin.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You see blood in your urine.
  
  
• You have seizures (convulsions) or lose consciousness (pass out).
  
  
• You have trouble moving or putting weight on your limbs.

Learn more about Osteosarcoma (Aftercare Instructions)