metastatic osteosarcoma

I am in the exact same position you are right now. My 15 year old niece was just diagnosed as well. She also has it in her lungs and undergoes surgery in 2 months. She has started chemo treatments, she had to be hospitalized after getting a fever. She should be released on Sunday. This is a scary cancer, but I called the ACS hotline and they sent me information on it. There really aren't any statistics to give you with metastatic osteosarcoma. I do know that in the last couple of years - it has markedly improved though. So there is hope. Everybody goes through it differently and the best advise I was given was to go day by day on how your niece is feeling. Everybody is so different, and respond diferently to chemo - so it is a waiting game. It can be very hard I know, but at least we have hope that wasn't there before. To get info on this cancer, call the ACS hot line 1-800-ACS-2345, they will explain everything to you and send you information on it as well - they were absolutely wonderful when I called!! Of course, her doctor will be the main source of information as it pertains to her specifically. I believe knowledge is power,and prayer is even more powerful. we should exchange e-mails and keep in touch through this. Let me know. I will pray for your niece.

Tammy34 said:

I am in the exact same position you are right now. My 15 year old niece was just diagnosed as well. She also has it in her lungs and undergoes surgery in 2 months. She has started chemo treatments, she had to be hospitalized after getting a fever. She should be released on Sunday. This is a scary cancer, but I called the ACS hotline and they sent me information on it. There really aren't any statistics to give you with metastatic osteosarcoma. I do know that in the last couple of years - it has markedly improved though. So there is hope. Everybody goes through it differently and the best advise I was given was to go day by day on how your niece is feeling. Everybody is so different, and respond diferently to chemo - so it is a waiting game. It can be very hard I know, but at least we have hope that wasn't there before. To get info on this cancer, call the ACS hot line 1-800-ACS-2345, they will explain everything to you and send you information on it as well - they were absolutely wonderful when I called!! Of course, her doctor will be the main source of information as it pertains to her specifically. I believe knowledge is power,and prayer is even more powerful. we should exchange e-mails and keep in touch through this. Let me know. I will pray for your niece.

I am 28 with tumors in both lungs. I have had surgery on one side and will have surgery on the other this week. There is already another tumor in the side I was just operated on. I had been unresponsive to chemo prior to these mets. They used a new breast cancer drug called Taxotere, in conjunction with Gemzar and it killed mine off 90% after just two treatments. Maybe you can ask your doc. about using these if she is not doing well.

cvillegas said:

I am 28 with tumors in both lungs. I have had surgery on one side and will have surgery on the other this week. There is already another tumor in the side I was just operated on. I had been unresponsive to chemo prior to these mets. They used a new breast cancer drug called Taxotere, in conjunction with Gemzar and it killed mine off 90% after just two treatments. Maybe you can ask your doc. about using these if she is not doing well.

I am so relieved to read your message. My fiance' who's 33 is currently undergoing chemotherapy using Taxotere and Gemzar. He too had surgery to remove the nodules on one lung first and by the time he was ready for the second surgery, there were already spots on the lung they'd operated on. We were devastated! I'm glad to hear the chemo was effective for you. We go in for the CT scan of his lungs next Friday. He's had 2 rounds of the Taxotere and Gemzar and it's time to see if it's working. It's been over a month since your last message. How are things going?

lacoder said:

I am so relieved to read your message. My fiance' who's 33 is currently undergoing chemotherapy using Taxotere and Gemzar. He too had surgery to remove the nodules on one lung first and by the time he was ready for the second surgery, there were already spots on the lung they'd operated on. We were devastated! I'm glad to hear the chemo was effective for you. We go in for the CT scan of his lungs next Friday. He's had 2 rounds of the Taxotere and Gemzar and it's time to see if it's working. It's been over a month since your last message. How are things going?

One more note. On my CT scans after going through 2 rounds of gemzar / taxotere, it showed that my tumors had actually grown (although not significanty). We were disappointed in the results. But then when they went in to do the surgery, there was over 90% necrosis. Obviously we were all shocked (including the surgeons and oncologist). The tumor tissue apparently swelled up a bit as it had died. It didn't shrink. So don't be discouraged if that is what your finace's CT scan shows. It doesn't necessarily mean it hasn't worked. Just thought I'd add that bit of info. This whole cancer deal is a wild ride. Hang in there and give your finace all the support you can.

cvillegas said:

I am 28 with tumors in both lungs. I have had surgery on one side and will have surgery on the other this week. There is already another tumor in the side I was just operated on. I had been unresponsive to chemo prior to these mets. They used a new breast cancer drug called Taxotere, in conjunction with Gemzar and it killed mine off 90% after just two treatments. Maybe you can ask your doc. about using these if she is not doing well.

My husband turned 30 in February. In July 2003 he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his left femur. He went through chemo and limb-sparing surgery and was back to work in January 2004 - he had 90% necrosis of his tumor prior to surgery. At his checkup on August 5th, his CT showed mets in his lungs. We are waiting for the docs to give us treatment alternatives. He has about 6 small spots in each lung that they says can't be surgically removed since there are so many. So, they are looking at chemo options, and maybe experimental/trial treatments. Was the Taxotere, in conjunction with Gemzar considered experimental? Where did you have this done?

samlillico said:

Hi, I was 13 when diagnosed with osteosarcome in the femur and was later told that I had lumps on my lungs. I finished treatment july 2003 and had a femur and knee replacement. Then in February 2004 I was told my lumps on my lung were growing again. I had half of my lungs removed on both sides and also have holes in the remaining lungs I have from lumps they have removed. I am 15 now and absolutly fine now. I dont need oxygen or anything and am living like a normal teeneger. So yes I have beaten it. If there is anything else that you would like to ask me I would be more than happy to answer anymore questions you have. good luck. samlillico@hotmail.com

Osteosarcoma metastasis to lungs
My brother has been fighting osteo for almost a year now. He is 23 and it has spread and grown in his lungs. The doc said theres nothing they can do to save him at this point but she never brought up the option of lung surgery. What hospitals have u all gone to? We want a 2nd opinion. Thank you so much!

-Mike