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Article: Osteosarcoma
- Article from:
- Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Osteosarcoma
Definition
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of cancer that originates in bone. (Most bone cancer develops from cancerous cells that have migrated from a tumor in another organ referred to as the
primary site
). It may also be called osteogenic sarcoma or primary bone cancer.
Description
Osteosarcomas make up about 65% of primary bone cancers and account for about 10% of all
childhood cancers
. Tumors around the knee (most often just above it) account for almost 75% of osteosarcomas; tumors in the long bone of the upper arm are also relatively common. Osteosarcoma, less commonly, can occur in the back, the skull, and the ribs. In rare instances, it can occur in other ...