Best Osteosarcoma Doctors in Lucknow

Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that can appear in any bone. Osteosarcoma most often affects long bones, such as those in the arms and legs. It most commonly afflicts children and young adults. The underlying cause of osteosarcoma remains unknown, however, certain factors like genetic predisposition and pre-existing bone disorders can make one susceptible to the disease. Osteosarcoma prompts an uncontrollable growth of cells that gradually erode the bone's structural integrity, leading to pain and bone fractures. If left untreated, osteosarcoma can spread to other parts of the body and result in severe health complications or even fatality.

Residents of Lucknow are fortunate to have access to the services of some of the best doctors for the treatment of osteosarcoma. The osteosarcoma specialists at Apollo Hospitals Lucknow take a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment and ensure that patients receive the most suitable care.

Types/Stages of Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma tumours can be categorized as low-grade, intermediate-grade, or high-grade.

• Low-grade cancers: They are typically slow-growing and tend to stay in the place where they started.

• Intermediate-grade cancers: They grow and have the potential to spread at a faster rate than low-grade cancers, but not as aggressively as high-grade cancers.

• High-grade cancers: These are aggressive and have a higher chance of spreading to other parts of the body through a process called metastasis. Osteoblastic, Fibroblastic, and juxtacortical high-grade cancer are some of the types of high-grade osteosarcoma.

  Symptoms of Osteosarcoma

The symptoms of osteosarcoma can vary depending on its location and size. They may include:

• Persistent pain in a bone or joint

• Noticeable swelling around the area affected

• Limping or difficulty using a limb if the osteosarcoma affects arms or legs

• Unexpected fractures, as osteosarcoma weakens the bone

Tests to Diagnose Osteosarcoma

Several tests can aid in diagnosing osteosarcoma. Doctors treating osteosarcoma may recommend one or more of the following tests to ensure an accurate diagnosis of the disease :

• X-ray: This helps the doctor to identify any abnormalities in the bone.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This provides detailed images of the bone or bones affected.

• Bone Scan: This helps the osteosarcoma specialist to identify if the cancer has spread to other bones.

• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: This helps the doctor to evaluate if the cancer has spread to the lungs, brain or other organs.

• Biopsy: Tissue samples are collected and examined under a microscope to determine the type and stage of cancer.

  Treatment or Surgery Options for Osteosarcoma at Apollo Hospitals, Lucknow

  The team of osteosarcoma specialists at Apollo Hospitals Lucknow offers comprehensive treatment plans for this condition. The treatment options may include:

• Surgery: This involves removing the tumour along with a margin of the healthy tissue around it.

• Chemotherapy: This might be recommended before the surgery to shrink the tumour, or after the surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.

• Radiation Therapy: This uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells, and is usually recommended when surgery is not an option.

• Targeted Therapy: This method uses drugs which are designed to attack specific proteins in cancer cells, while at the same time sparing healthy cells.