Warriors and Survivors -61

 

 Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 61

 I am Rukh Yusuf, Clinical Pharmacist, also specialized in Total Parenteral Nutrition and Bone Marrow Transplant. I have been working in Pediatric Oncology unit of a public hospital for several years. The mission of this blog is to bring to you the real-life stories of child patients suffering from cancer. Cancer is still a difficult disease to handle and treat. However, when it strikes the children, some so young that they cannot even speak, their agony is beyond expression and words. Let us pray especially for children suffering from cancer for early and complete remission. May Allah shower His Merciful Blessings upon them. Aameen.

I have written about Osteosarcoma and up till now, all children discussed were females. I wondered if it was more prevalent in females here in Pakistan. Today’s blog is also about a case of Osteosarcoma in young female.

Aliza is 10 years old girl from Kasur. She is student of grade four, having osteosarcoma treatment from Children’s hospital and her five chemotherapy cycles have been completed. She is so innocent and silent that it is difficult to hear her speaking. Her father is a laborer, and she has two siblings. It is heartbreaking to see her suffering and I also remembered two other girls with Osteosarcoma, Mishal and Meerab.  They used to be in a very painful condition, but Aliza is Alhumdolillah fine till now, but for a lean girl it is difficult to bear such a bad disease.

Let’s a look again what Osteosarcoma is for better understanding about what Aliza has been going through.

Osteosarcoma, the most common malignant bone tumor, is a deadly form of musculoskeletal cancer that most commonly causes patients to die of pulmonary metastatic disease.  It is an ancient disease that is still incompletely understood.

Osteosarcoma occurs most often in children, adolescents, and young adults. Approximately 800 new cases of osteosarcoma are reported each year in the U.S. Of these cases, about 400 are in children and teens. It happens slightly more often in males than in females.

Osteosarcoma most commonly happens in the long bones around the knee. Other sites for osteosarcoma include the upper leg, or thighbone, the lower leg, upper arm bone, or any bone in the body, including those in the pelvis, shoulder, and skull.

Osteosarcoma may grow into nearby tissues, such as tendons or muscles. It may also spread, or metastasize, through the bloodstream to other organs or bones in the body.

The exact cause of osteosarcoma is not known, but it is believed to be due to DNA mutations inside bone cells—either inherited or acquired after birth.

Suggested risk factors for osteosarcoma include teenage growth spurts, being tall for a specific age. Previous treatment with radiation for another cancer, especially at a young age or with high doses of radiation. Presence of certain benign (noncancerous) bone diseases.

The most common symptoms of osteosarcoma may include pain in the affected bone, swelling around the affected site, increased pain with activity or lifting, limping, decreased movement of the affected limb, etc.

Treatment for osteosarcoma can be determined by healthcare provider based on patient’s age, overall health, and medical history. Type, stage (extent), and location of the osteosarcoma. Patients’ tolerance for specific medicines, procedures, or therapies. Expectations for the course of the disease

Treatment may include Surgery (for example, biopsy, resections, bone/skin grafts, limb salvage procedures, reconstructions, or amputation). Chemotherapy. Radiation therapy. Rehabilitation, including physical and occupational therapy, and psychosocial adaption. Prosthesis fitting and training. Supportive care for the side effects of treatment. Antibiotics to prevent and treat infections. Most important ism Continued follow-up care to determine response to treatment, find recurrent disease, and manage the side effects of treatment 

The prognosis for osteosarcoma greatly depends on many factors including the extent of the disease. The size and location of the tumor. The pathologic grade of the cancer. The tumor's response to therapy. Age and overall health. Tolerance of specific medicines, procedures, or therapies.

A person who was treated for bone cancer as a child or adolescent may develop effects months or years after treatment ends. These effects are called late effects. The kind of late effects one develops depends on the location of the tumor and the way it was treated.

As with any cancer, prognosis and long-term survival can vary greatly from person to person. Every individual is unique, and treatment and prognosis are structured around your needs. Prompt medical attention and aggressive therapy are important for the best prognosis. Continuous follow-up care is essential for a person diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Side effects of radiation and chemotherapy, including second cancers, can happen in survivors. New methods are continually being discovered to improve treatment and decrease side effects.

We pray for innocent Aliza and her family. May she recover soon smoothly. May her disease never come back. Aameen.

Prayers for the complete health and recovery of all other warriors who are suffering with their families. May Allah ease and cure all patients and cancer warriors.

Note: Names have been changed to protect identity