© 2005-2012 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). All rights reserved worldwide.
This section has been reviewed and approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 10/2012
Symptoms and Signs The symptoms of osteosarcoma depend on the bone in which the tumor developed. Children with osteosarcoma may experience the following symptoms or signs. Sometimes, children with osteosarcoma do not show any of these symptoms. Or, these symptoms may be caused by a medical condition that is not cancer. If you are concerned about a symptom or sign on this list, please talk with your child’s doctor.
- Pain in a bone or joint that gets worse over time
- Painless swelling or a noticeable mass (lump) in an arm or leg
- A broken bone with no injury to explain how it occurred
- Stiffness or swelling of joints (not a common symptom)
- Back pain or a loss of bowel or bladder control (if the tumor is in the pelvis or at the base of the spine; not a common early symptom)
Your child’s doctor will ask you questions about the symptoms your child is experiencing to help find out the cause of the problem, called a diagnosis. This may include how long your child has been experiencing the symptom(s) and how often.
If cancer is diagnosed, relieving symptoms and side effects remains an important part of cancer care and treatment. This may also be called symptom management, palliative care, or supportive care. Be sure to talk with your child’s health care team about symptoms your child experiences, including any new symptoms or a change in symptoms.