Key Surgical, Medical Advances for Treating Osteosarcoma

Introduction Osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most common bone tumor in dogs and is characterized by a highly invasive and metastatic behavior. The tumor is less common in cats. This tumor frequently affects middle-aged, large breed dogs (less than 5% occur in breeds smaller than 12 kg) and arises in 75% of cases in the metaphyseal area of bones of the appendicular skeleton. The median age of dogs with OSA is 6-7 years. Males are more commonly affected than females. A cause for OSA is unknown although many etiologies have been stipulated (radiation, microtrauma, genetics, implants, nutrition). Most cats are older and a higher number of OS arose from extraskeletal sites (38%).