drugs

Drugs to cure Osteosarcoma

Definition

Osteosarcoma - also known as "osteogenic sarcoma" - is a malignant tumor of the bones, which occurs mainly in children and young adults aged 10 to 30 years of age, but not only. In fact, this tumor can develop even in older patients.

In most cases, the tumor originates in the tibia, femur or humerus, but can also originate from other bones.

Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor that grows rapidly and tends to metastasize.

Causes

The exact cause that causes the onset of the tumor has not yet been identified exactly. However, it appears that osteosarcoma is caused by a series of genetic mutations that transform immature bone cells into cancer cells that proliferate uncontrollably.

However, genetic alterations are not the only factors that favor tumor onset. In fact, the presence of some types of pathologies predisposes the individuals who suffer from it to develop osteosarcoma. These diseases are Paget's disease (it favors the onset of the neoplasm especially in patients over 60 years of age), retinoblastoma, Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Rothmund-Thomson syndrome.

Furthermore, even patients receiving radiotherapy for the treatment of other forms of cancer are exposed to a high risk of developing osteosarcoma.

Symptoms

The symptoms induced by osteosarcoma depend on the location and the stage in which the tumor is located.

The main symptom, however, is the continuous pain localized to the bone affected by the neoplasm. As the tumor progresses, swelling and redness of the skin can also be seen.

Other symptoms that can occur are movement limitations, anemia, body weight loss, asthenia, cachexia, bone fractures, bone swelling and cold sensation.

Information on Osteosarcoma - Drugs for Treating Osteosarcoma is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Osteosarcoma - Drugs for Treating Osteosarcoma.

drugs

The treatment to treat osteosarcoma obviously depends on the location and stage of the tumor.

However, the standard therapeutic approach consists in the administration of anticancer chemotherapy (both in monotherapy, both in combination therapy) and in the surgical removal of the tumor mass.

Furthermore, in some cases the doctor may consider it necessary to use radiotherapy.

Finally, in extremely serious cases - where chemotherapy and surgery are not able to permanently eliminate the tumor - the doctor may decide to proceed with the amputation.

doxorubicin

Doxorubicin (Adriblastina ®) - also known as adriamycin - is an anthracycline antibiotic with antitumor activity.

When used as monotherapy, the dose of doxorubicin usually used in adult patients is 60-75 mg / m2 of body surface area, to be administered by intravenous infusion at 21-day intervals. In pediatric patients, on the other hand, the dose of drug usually used is 30 mg / m2 of body surface area, to be administered always by intravenous infusion for three consecutive days; the cycle must then be repeated every four weeks.

When used together with other anticancer drugs in combination therapy, on the other hand, the dose of doxorubicin used can be decreased to 25-50 mg / m2 of body surface area, to be administered by intravenous infusion every 3-4 weeks.

In any case, it is good to remember that the administration of doxorubicin must be carried out only by a doctor or by personnel specialized in the use of anticancer drugs.

ifosfamide

Ifosphamide (Holoxan ®) is an antitumor belonging to the class of alkylating agents.

The drug can be given by injection, or by intravenous infusion and only by a doctor or a specialist in the administration of anticancer drugs.

The usual dose of Iphosphamide is 50-60 mg / kg of body weight for five consecutive days.

However, the exact amount of phosphamide to be taken and the frequency of administration should be established by the doctor depending on the condition of each patient.

Cisplatin

Cisplatin (Platamine ®, Cisplatin Teva ®) is an anticancer drug also belonging to the class of alkylating agents and can be used either alone or in association with other antineoplastics in the treatment of osteosarcoma.

It is available in pharmaceutical formulations suitable for parenteral administration.

When used as monotherapy, the usual cisplatin dose is 50-120 mg / m2 of body surface area, to be administered by slow intravenous infusion every 3-4 weeks.

When, on the other hand, cisplatin is used in combination with other anticancer drugs, then the dose of active ingredient administered must be adequately reduced.

However, even in this case, cisplatin should be administered to patients only by a doctor or a specialist in the administration of anticancer chemotherapy.