Osteosarcoma Survival Rates

Osteosarcoma is an uncommon type of bone cancer that originates in the cells that form bones. Usually, it arises in the long bones of the arms or legs during periods of rapid growth, often affecting children and teenagers. Through extensive research and recent breakthroughs in precision medicine, the treatment options for osteosarcoma have significantly advanced over the last several years, leading to better survival rates, outcomes and quality of life for patients. With a timely diagnosis and individualized treatment, many patients achieve long-term remission or cure.

With that said, osteosarcoma survival rates can vary widely depending on many unique factors, such as the patient’s response to treatment. On the whole, however, the outlook for osteosarcoma patients continues to improve. A patient who is diagnosed with osteosarcoma can help ensure the best possible outcome and quality of life by remaining optimistic, staying informed and working closely with their healthcare team to explore all available treatment options and support resources.

What do osteosarcoma survival rates mean?

Survival rates describe the percentage of people who are alive after a certain period following a cancer diagnosis. The most reported statistic is the 5-year survival rate, which refers to the percentage of patients who are alive at least five years after diagnosis. Many patients live much longer than five years, and many patients with localized osteosarcoma are cured.

These statistics are based on patients treated in previous years and may not fully reflect advances in modern imaging, surgery, chemotherapy, and supportive care.

Current Osteosarcoma Survival Rates

According to the American Cancer Society, survival is influenced primarily by whether the cancer is confined to its original location or has spread to distant parts of the body.

• Localized osteosarcoma: Approximately 65% to 75% of patients are alive five years after diagnosis.
• Metastatic osteosarcoma: For patients whose cancer has already spread at the time of diagnosis, reported five-year survival rates range from approximately 5% to 30%.

Overall, however, these statistics represent broad averages and should not be used to predict an individual patient’s outcome.

Why do osteosarcoma survival rates vary?

Factors that influence osteosarcoma survival rates include:

• Whether the cancer is localized or metastatic
• The size and location of the primary tumor
• Whether the tumor can be completely removed with surgery
• Whether metastatic disease, if present, can be completely removed
• How well the tumor responds to chemotherapy and how well the patient can tolerate chemotherapy
• Whether the cancer is newly diagnosed or has returned after treatment
• The patient’s age and overall health
• And other individualized factors

For patients who receive chemotherapy before surgery, the pathologist evaluates how much of the tumor was destroyed by treatment. More tumor necrosis is generally associated with a more favorable prognosis, although many factors contribute to treatment outcomes.

Why Osteosarcoma Survival Statistics Don’t Tell the Whole Story

Survival rates are estimates based on large groups of patients and cannot predict an individual’s outcome. Some patients do better than expected, while others face more aggressive disease. Factors such as advances in treatment, participation in clinical trials, and care provided by an experienced multidisciplinary sarcoma team continue to improve outcomes.

Your care team is the best source of information about your individual prognosis and can explain how your specific diagnosis and treatment plan influence your outlook.

Benefit from world-class care at Moffitt Cancer Center

Because osteosarcoma is a rare and complex cancer, treatment by an experienced multidisciplinary sarcoma team is essential. Indeed, another factor that plays a key role in survival from osteosarcoma is the experience of the treatment team. For this reason, many patients turn to Moffitt’s Sarcoma Program, which offers unrivaled expertise. Each patient is evaluated, treated and monitored by a multispecialty team of surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, supportive care providers and other medical professionals who develop personalized treatment plans to treat bone cancer with the newest and most effective evidence-based therapies. Moffitt has a robust portfolio of clinical trials, offering our patients unique opportunities to be among the first to benefit from novel treatments that are not yet available elsewhere.

If you would like to learn more about osteosarcoma, a specialist in the Sarcoma Program at Moffitt can explain the currently available information within the proper context and help you take appropriate steps to achieve the best possible outcome and quality of life. Request an appointment by calling 1-888-346-0201 or submitting a new patient registration form online. We do not require referrals.