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Certain factors may affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
Source: Osteosarcoma Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: February 25, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
If your child has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma or UPS, you likely have questions about how serious the cancer is and your child's chances of survival. The likely outcome or course of a disease is called prognosis.
Many factors affect prognosis and treatment options.
Factors that may affect your child's prognosis before treatment include:
where the tumor is in the body and whether tumors formed in more than one bone
whether multiple tumors have formed in the same bone
the size of the tumor
whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and, if so, where it has spread
the type of tumor (based on how the cancer cells look under a microscope)
your child's sex, age, and weight at the time of diagnosis
whether your child has been treated for a different cancer in the past
whether your child has certain genetic conditions
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Factors that may affect your child's prognosis after treatment include:
how well the chemotherapy worked
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whether the tumor was completely removed by surgery
whether the cancer has recurred (come back) within 5 years of diagnosis
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No two people are alike, and response to treatment can vary greatly. Your child's cancer care team is in the best position to talk with you about your child's prognosis.
Treatment options for osteosarcoma and UPS depend on:
where the tumor is in the body and if it has spread
the size of the tumor
the grade of the cancer
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whether the bones are still growing
your child's age and overall health
your child's and family's goals, such as being able to participate in sports, or concerns about physical appearance
whether the cancer is newly diagnosed or has recurred after treatment
Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice