What should you know about non-metastatic osteosarcoma?

Osteosarcoma often begins in bone and may cause ongoing pain, swelling, stiffness, or a break in a weakened bone. Non-metastatic describes the staging result: no distant tumour deposits have been identified at that point. It does not remove the need for careful follow-up or change the need to assess the primary tumour fully.

Doctors use scans to map the tumour and check areas where spread could occur, and a biopsy confirms the diagnosis. The tumour’s position, relationship to nearby nerves and blood vessels, and response to treatment all influence the plan.

Care commonly combines chemotherapy with surgery. Chemotherapy may be given before surgery to treat cells beyond the visible tumour and help assess its response. Surgery then removes the tumour with a margin of surrounding tissue; reconstruction may be discussed when part of a bone or joint needs replacing. Further chemotherapy may follow the operation.

Ask how treatment could affect movement, growth, fertility, school, work, and sport. A physiotherapist can help plan safe movement before and after surgery. Take medicines exactly as directed and tell the team about fever, new swelling, or changes in pain.

Call the oncology team urgently for fever or chills during chemotherapy, sudden breathlessness, chest pain, uncontrolled pain, or a new inability to use the affected limb. After surgery, increasing redness, wound drainage, heavy bleeding, or a cold, pale, numb limb needs prompt assessment.

Where exactly is the tumour, and what reconstruction might be needed? What is the chemotherapy and surgery sequence? How will scans show response? What movement limits should I follow? Which changes after treatment need same-day medical advice?