Gnathic Osteosarcoma : Introductioon

Osteosarcomas of the jawbones (gnathic osteosarcomas) are different from the conventional osteosarcomas in several aspects. They tend to occur in slightly older individuals than conventional osteosarcomas - patients are in 2nd to 4th decades of life. Pain and swelling are the presenting symptoms. They usually tend to be better differentiated (Grade I or II) and have a better prognosis. Hematogenous spread to lungs is unusual. Patients may succumb to the tumor due to uncontrolled local disease. Majority of the osteosarcomas arising in the jawbones show chondroblastic areas. Osteoid production may be minimal. Some cases are mistaken for chondrosarcomas. Slide courtesy of Piero Picci, M.D., Director, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Instituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy. Used with permission.