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Sarcomas
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Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma is the name given to a
heterogeneous group of malignant spindle cell tumors that have as their common
feature the production of immature bone, also known as osteoid. Dr. Peter Buecker,
Dr. Mark Gebhardt
and Dr.
Kristy Weber have
written an in-depth article,
Osteosarcoma,
for our Electronic Sarcoma Update Newsletter (ESUN). Their article gives an extensive set of references to articles dealing
with this disease. We are grateful to them for finding the time to undertake this project. Click on the
above link to view their article.
There are over 50 subtypes of sarcoma. The
American Cancer Society's
Key Statistics About Sarcoma states
that the most common types of soft tissue sarcoma are: MFH or Malignant
Fibrous Histiocytoma (28%), liposarcoma (15%), LMS or leiomyosarcoma (12%),
synovial sarcoma (10%), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (6%), and
rhabdomyosarcoma (5%). All of the other types of soft tissue sarcoma occur
at percentages of 3% or less.
The ACS'
Key Statistics for Bone Cancer states
that the most common types of bone cancer are osteosarcoma (35%),
chondrosarcoma (26%), Ewing's bone sarcoma (16%), chordoma (8%), and
malignant fibrous histiocytoma/fibrosarcoma (6%). Other rare bone cancers
account for the remaining 9%.
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Where else can you learn about Osteosarcoma?
Steve Dunn's
CancerGuide provides a very useful starting point for
undertaking investigations into cancer and cancer-related issues
on the Internet. Among other things, he discusses how to
research the medical literature and how to use and access
medical databases and online resources. He explains the medical
research cycle, where to get medical references and describes
the various types of papers in the medical literature, and how
to find and use a medical library.
A word of caution: while the
Internet is a wonderful tool to gain access to information,
simply because information appears on the Internet does not
necessarily indicate that it is accurate or truthful. Any heath
information that you obtain on the internet should be reviewed
with your physician.
Interested readers are encouraged to continue
their understanding of osteosarcoma by examining the resources at the websites listed below:
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 Adult
Bone Cancer Survivors
The
Adult Bone Cancer Survivors
websites contains some wonderful stories "filled with love, fear,
and wisdom", written by survivors of osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma,
and chondrosarcoma.
Support
Groups
There are several online support groups for osteosarcoma. Please
consult our
Links page.
The
Doctor's Doctor website is designed to help the patient "get
information about laboratory tests and diagnosis".
It has information related to a number of sarcomas, including
osteosarcoma. You can access this site by
clicking here.
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