Can childhood malignant osteosarcoma be cured?

The treatment effect of childhood malignant osteosarcoma depends on early detection and comprehensive treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Some patients can achieve long-term survival. Malignant osteosarcoma is a highly malignant bone tumor that mostly occurs in children and adolescents. The cause is still unclear, and it may be related to genetic, environmental factors and gene mutations. The treatment method is mainly surgical resection, combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which can significantly improve the cure rate.

1. Surgery is the main treatment for malignant osteosarcoma, including wide resection, limb-sparing surgery and amputation. Wide resection aims to completely remove tumor tissue, limb-sparing surgery preserves limb function as much as possible by reconstructing bone and joint function, and amputation is used when the tumor cannot be removed or has spread. The appropriate surgery should be selected based on factors such as the location and size of the tumor and the age of the patient.

2. Chemotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of malignant osteosarcoma. Commonly used drugs include methotrexate, cisplatin and doxorubicin. Chemotherapy can reduce the size of the tumor, reduce the difficulty of surgery, kill micro-metastases, and improve the cure rate. The chemotherapy regimen needs to be formulated according to the patient's condition and tolerance, and is usually used in combination with surgery.

3. Radiotherapy is suitable for patients who cannot undergo surgery or have residual tumors after surgery. It kills tumor cells through high-energy rays. Radiotherapy can relieve pain and control tumor growth, but it may cause damage to surrounding normal tissues, and the irradiation range and dose need to be accurately planned.

4. The cause of malignant osteosarcoma is not yet fully understood. It may be related to genetic factors. For example, patients with a family history of bone tumors have a higher risk of developing the disease. Environmental factors such as long-term exposure to radioactive substances or chemical carcinogens may also increase the risk of disease. Gene mutations such as abnormalities in the TP53 gene and RB1 gene are closely related to the occurrence of malignant osteosarcoma.

5. Early diagnosis is the key to improving the cure rate of malignant osteosarcoma. Common symptoms include local pain, swelling and limited movement. Imaging examinations such as X-ray, CT and MRI can help determine the location and extent of the tumor, and pathological biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis.

The treatment of malignant osteosarcoma in children requires multidisciplinary collaboration, including orthopedics, oncology, radiotherapy and rehabilitation, to develop an individualized treatment plan. Through early detection, standardized treatment and long-term follow-up, some patients can achieve a good prognosis. Patients and their families should actively cooperate with treatment, maintain an optimistic attitude, and pay attention to nutritional support and psychological counseling to improve their quality of life.