Osteosarcoma - Childhood

After treatment for osteosarcoma ends, talk with your child’s doctor about developing a follow-up care plan. This plan may include regular physical examinations and/or medical tests to monitor your child’s recovery for the coming months and years. All children treated for osteosarcoma should have life-long, follow-up care.

There are two major considerations for the long-term health of children who have had osteosarcoma. The first is whether the surgery resulted in a well-functioning limb or whether there were complications. The following are the most common orthopedic complications: fracture (break), if a bone allograft (bone from another person) has been used; metallic failure or loosening, if an internal prosthesis, such as an artificial knee, has been inserted; or infection. These complications can usually be treated with another surgery and, if there is an infection, long-term antibiotic therapy. Occasionally, these approaches fail and an amputation is needed.

The second consideration is whether there is a recurrence or late effects. Recurrence of the tumor more than five years later is rare. The drugs used to treat osteosarcoma have a small chance, approximately 1.5%, of causing a blood cancer called leukemia (called a secondary or induced leukemia). Other possible late effects are related to the type of chemotherapy used. The most common drugs and long-term effects from them are:

Generally, most patients recovering from osteosarcoma do well. Based on the type of treatment your child received, the doctor will determine what examinations and tests are needed to check for long-term side effects, such as heart failure, hearing loss, kidney damage and the possibility of secondary cancers. Your child’s doctor can recommend the necessary screening tests. Follow-up care should also address the child’s quality of life, including any developmental or emotional concerns, especially if amputation was necessary. Learn more about childhood cancer survivorship.

The child’s family is encouraged to organize and keep a record of the child’s medical information. That way as the child enters adulthood, he or she has a clear, written history of the treatment given, and the doctor’s recommendations about the schedule for follow-up care. The doctor’s office can help you create this. This information will be valuable to doctors who care for your child during his or her lifetime. ASCO offers treatment summary forms to help keep track of the treatment your child received and develop a survivorship care plan once treatment is completed.

Children who have had cancer can also enhance the quality of their future by following established guidelines for good health into and through adulthood, including not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and participating in regular physical activity. Talk with the doctor about developing a plan that is best for your child’s needs. Learn more about the next steps to take in survivorship.

Find out more about common terms used after treatment is complete.