How To Treat Osteosarcoma

Amputation

Patients with osteosarcoma that has metastasized into the bone's neighboring tendons, nerves, and blood vessels may require full limb amputation. When most of the limb's functionality will be compromised because of the tissue that has to be excised, complete amputation of the arm or leg is often recommended. Once an amputation has been deemed necessary, medical imaging tests such as MRIs are used to help the surgeon make an identification on how much of the limb will need to be amputated. The surgical procedure of limb amputation is carefully planned out so the remaining parts of skin and muscle can be formed into a cuff around the end of the remaining bone. After surgery, the cuff will be precisely fitted with a specialized prosthetic limb to allow the patient some degree of functionality and mobility. It may take up to a year for the patient to learn how to maximize their use of a prosthetic limb. While the aesthetic appearance of limb-sparing surgery to treat osteosarcoma is more acceptable and desired, a full limb amputation has shown to have less post-procedural complications and lower instances of cancer recurrence.