osteosarcoma

the commonest and most malignant TUMOUR of the BONES found most commonly in older children. The FEMUR is usually affected but metastases (see METASTASIS ) are common. It produces pain and swelling, and although amputation used to be the standard treatment, surgery is now possible, with replacement of the diseased bone and associated CHEMOTHERAPY and/or RADIOTHERAPY . It remains, nevertheless, a serious CANCER with a relatively poor survival rate.