OSTEOSARCOMA – THE MOST COMMON TYPE OF BONE CANCER

Osteosarcoma is the most common histological form of primary bone cancer and is most prevalent in children and young adults. Like the osteoblasts in normal bone, the cells that form this cancer make bone matrix. But the bone matrix of an osteosarcoma is not as strong as that of normal bones.

Osteosarcoma usually develops in areas where the bone is growing quickly, such as near the ends of the long bones. Most tumors develop in the bones around the knee, either in the lower part of the thigh bone or the upper part of the shinbone. The part of the upper arm bone close to the shoulder is the next most common site. However, osteosarcoma can develop in any bone, including the bones of the pelvis (hips), shoulder, and jaw. This is especially true in older adults.

Rescue therapy in osteosarcoma

Arfolitixorin can also be used as rescue therapy when treating osteosarcoma (bone cancer), which most commonly affects children and young people, acute lymphatic leukaemia (ALL), Burkitt’s lymphoma, and lymphomas of the central nervous system (lymphoma = cancer of the lymph glands). The cytotoxin, methotrexate, is used in higher doses to eliminate cancerous cells in these types of cancer. The high doses mean that there is also a risk of damage to the surrounding tissues, and leucovorin (reduced folate) is consequently given subsequently to rescue the healthy surrounding tissues. Arfolitixorin is also thought to be more effective than today’s treatment with leucovorin in conjunction with rescue therapy.

Last updated 09-04-2019