This information is about osteosarcoma in teenagers and young adults. It has specific information about treatment for people in this age group.
Osteosarcoma is the most common form of bone sarcoma (primary bone cancer) in teenagers and young adults.
Osteosarcoma often affects the knee, thigh bone, shin bone or upper arm.
Symptoms of osteosarcoma
Symptoms of osteosarcoma in teenagers and young adults can vary depending on the size and location of the tumour.
You might have:
- bone pain, particularly at night
- a mass or swelling
- stiffness or difficulty moving a joint.
Symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for more common problems, such as a sports injury.
Diagnosing osteosarcoma
Your GP will examine you and may refer you for tests. You may have one or more of these tests:
- X-ray – uses X-radiation to take images of dense tissues inside the body, such as bones or tumours.
- MRI scan – uses magnets to create an image of the tissues of the body.
- CT scan – takes a number of X-rays to make a 3D image of an affected area.
- Bone scan – shows up changes or abnormalities in the bones. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into your veins before having this scan.
We have more information about the different scans and tests you might have.
Treating osteosarcoma
If you are a teenager or young adult, you may be treated at a specialist teenage and young adult (TYA) cancer centre.
Different teams may treat teenagers and young adults. For example, you may be seen at a principal treatment centre or a shared care centre. Find out more about where you might have treatment.
Surgery for teenagers and young adults
If you have osteosarcoma in your arm or leg, your surgeon will try to save the limb. This is called limb-sparing surgery.
During limb-sparing surgery, your surgeon will remove the tumour and take out an area of healthy tissue surrounding it. This is known as taking a margin. You might then have some of the bone replaced with a bone graft, which uses bone from another part of the body.
It’s not always possible to have limb-sparing surgery. If your osteosarcoma has spread to nerves and blood vessels, you may need to have the limb partly or fully amputated.
Chemotherapy for teenagers and young adults
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. You may have chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumour and make it easier to remove . This can be useful to treat large tumours and can prevent the need to have the limb either partially or fully amputated.
Chemotherapy is also sometimes used after surgery. In this case, the aim is to kill off any local cancer cells which remain in the area of the tumour.
Targeted therapy for teenagers and young adults
You may also be given a course of a targeted medicine called mifamurtide (Mepact) which may help to reduce the risk of osteosarcoma coming back.
This treatment is not suitable for everyone, however, you may be offered mifamurtide if:
- the tumour is high grade and has not spread to another part of the body
- you have had an operation to remove your tumour
- you are also having chemotherapy with multiple drugs.
Radiotherapy for teenagers and young adults
Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation beams to destroy cancer cells. Osteosarcoma is not usually sensitive to radiotherapy. However, this type of treatment may be used after surgery in some cases, if there is a risk that the cancer has spread to the surrounding soft tissue.
After treatment
Many young people with osteosarcoma respond well to treatment and can be cured. If you’re still growing, you may need to have surgery to lengthen your limb. You will have regular check-ups and X-rays as needed at an orthopaedic specialist centre.
Recurrence
Sometimes, osteosarcoma can come back to the same part of the body. This is called a recurrence. A recurrence of cancer may appear in other parts of the body too. This is called a metastasis or secondary cancer.
In people with bone sarcoma, these secondary cancers may appear in the lungs. You will have chest X-rays during follow-up to look for secondary cancers in the lung.
Living with osteosarcoma
Living with cancer can be difficult. We have support to help you with your mental health, physical health, and we also have information about financial support. No matter what you’re worried about, we’re here to support you.
If you have any more questions about osteosarcoma, or if you need to talk to someone, our Support Line team are here for you.
More support
Call the Sarcoma UK Support Line
The Sarcoma UK Support Line is here for every person affected by sarcoma. Get in touch for friendly, expert, confidential and free advice on anything to do with sarcoma.
Support groups
There are a number of sarcoma support groups across the UK. We have more information about support groups available online and in your local area.
Other charities
- Bone Cancer Research Trust: The BCRT offers support for people with primary bone cancer. They have health information and support available.
- Teenage Cancer Trust: The Teenage Cancer Trust have cancer units in hospitals across the country, specifically for people aged 16-24.
- Maggie’s: Maggie’s is a charity that offers advice and support for adults and young people living with cancer.
- Penny Brohn: Penny Brohn has a lot of support for people who have just been diagnosed or are living with cancer. This includes resources, online sessions, and counselling.
- Shine Cancer Support: Shine Cancer Support is a charity connecting people with cancer experience. This is through online programmes and in-person support groups. They support people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s.
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Last reviewed April 2026 | Next review due April 2029
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