Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant osteoma in adolescents and children. However, compared to tumors in other organs, musculoskeletal tumors are not very likely to occur. According to the American Cancer Society statistics, there are about 2,800 new cases in the United States each year, which is less than two-thousandths of all malignant tumors. There are approximately 100 new annual cases in Taiwan, and about 70% of the patients are treated in Taipei Veterans General Hospital.
Men are generally more likely to have osteosarcoma than women, at a rate of about six to four.
The age at osteosarcoma occurrence is biphasic. Most cases are adolescents between the ages of 10 and 25, while a smaller proportion is elder people aged 60 to 80. However, because osteosarcoma is more likely to occur in adolescents aged 10 to 25, it often brings other struggling problems to physicians, patients, and family members compared to other tumors.
The first issue: Family
It's not just the patients who are affected; it's the whole family. The work of parents and the care of siblings will need to be adjusted.
The second issue: Schoolwork
Because of chemotherapy, the patient will have to undergo treatment for approximately 8-12 months. During this period, the patient may need to suspend schooling or home-schooling. Often, many parents will ask Dr. Wu if they need to discontinue the child's education, and it may need communications with the child and the teacher. Dr. Wu recommends that let the child rest for a year to treat the body well. The parents can also contact our volunteers in the Taiwan Osteosarcoma Caring Association for a considerable amount of experience.
The third issue: Online information to doctors
Patients and parents of this age group have abundant experience in online searches. However, the information on the Internet today is incomplete and incorrect. There are even talks of rejecting chemotherapy or surgery. Coupled with parents' love and fear of harming their children, they sometimes reluctant to take advice from their doctors, thus influencing the treatment. This is the main reason why Dr. Wu wants to create this website! Hopefully, empowered by the Internet, Dr. Wu can pass on his current scientific knowledge and experience in osteosarcoma treatment to those in need.