What is a common symptom associated with osteosarcoma in adolescents?

What is a common symptom associated with osteosarcoma in adolescents?

• A. Morning stiffness in joints
• B. Dull ache that worsens at night
• C. Numbness in limbs
• D. Intermittent fever

Answer: (B)

A common symptom associated with osteosarcoma, particularly in adolescents, is a dull ache that worsens at night. Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that primarily affects the long bones of the body, commonly occurring during periods of rapid growth in younger patients. The pain experienced typically starts as a vague ache that can be present during the day but tends to intensify at night, often disturbing sleep. This symptom is significant as it distinguishes osteosarcoma-related pain from other, less serious conditions. Morning stiffness in joints relates more closely to inflammatory or degenerative joint conditions rather than a primary bone tumor like osteosarcoma. Numbness in limbs could suggest nerve involvement or peripheral neuropathy but is not a typical primary symptom of bone cancer. Intermittent fever is not a characteristic feature of osteosarcoma specifically and is more associated with infections or other conditions involving systemic illness. Thus, the worsening dull ache at night is a hallmark symptom that physicians may note when evaluating an adolescent with suspected osteosarcoma.

A common symptom associated with osteosarcoma, particularly in adolescents, is a dull ache that worsens at night. Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that primarily affects the long bones of the body, commonly occurring during periods of rapid growth in younger patients. The pain experienced typically starts as a vague ache that can be present during the day but tends to intensify at night, often disturbing sleep. This symptom is significant as it distinguishes osteosarcoma-related pain from other, less serious conditions.

Morning stiffness in joints relates more closely to inflammatory or degenerative joint conditions rather than a primary bone tumor like osteosarcoma. Numbness in limbs could suggest nerve involvement or peripheral neuropathy but is not a typical primary symptom of bone cancer. Intermittent fever is not a characteristic feature of osteosarcoma specifically and is more associated with infections or other conditions involving systemic illness. Thus, the worsening dull ache at night is a hallmark symptom that physicians may note when evaluating an adolescent with suspected osteosarcoma.