Understanding Osteosarcoma and Its Impact
Facing diseases is crucial to understand the difference between a radical improvement leading to better quality of life or a condition that complicates a patient’s life. This is the case with diseases like osteosarcoma, a malignant bone cancer that predominantly affects males and commonly occurs in long bones such as the femur, tibia, and humerus. In some cases, limb loss is necessary to save the patient’s life, presenting a new challenge.
Osteosarcoma is one of the main oncological concerns among those most affected: children and adolescents. This type of tumor has its peak incidence between 10 and 19 years of age. According to data from the National Center for Child and Adolescent Health, osteosarcoma ranks second as the most frequent solid tumor in minors. Symptoms of osteosarcoma include painful and inflamed bones and joints, unexplained injuries or fractures, frequent fever, and extreme fatigue after minor exercise or simple sports.
Ricardo Walls’ Journey with Osteosarcoma
Ricardo Walls experienced this complex disease, losing a limb but saving his life. His journey has not been easy, yet he now shares with El Economista how he lives his life with tranquility.
“I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at six years old. I remember that the disease started to affect me after I hit a step on the stairs, below the knee. That’s when I began experiencing symptoms like inflammation and pain, and my parents took me to the doctor.”
In the 70s, there was limited knowledge about osteosarcoma, and doctors often attributed symptoms to the injury. However, Ricardo’s condition worsened instead of improving. His parents consulted multiple doctors without a definitive diagnosis until the last doctor decided to take X-rays, revealing a dark spot in his tibia and fibula.
Eventually, Ricardo was diagnosed with a sarcoma. The decision to amputate was difficult for his family, and he woke up without a leg, feeling an odd sensation but unaware of what lay ahead.
Prosthetics: A Solution
At seven years old, Ricardo used his first prosthesis, a rudimentary plaster socket with an unyielding steel tube and a rigid wooden foot. These early prosthetics were heavy, non-functional, and caused bullying. Fortunately, Ricardo found supportive friends and family.
Prosthetics play a vital role in patients’ lives when surgical resection is necessary to remove the tumor or address pathological fractures caused by osteosarcoma.
Ricardo recalls that early sockets caused numerous injuries and even encouraged intentional wounds from prothetists. However, advancements in materials during the 90s led to more flexible and skin-friendly sockets, allowing him to transition from walking on rough surfaces to gliding on carpet.
Ricardo has used various prosthetic components, including an electronic carbon foot with energy return, enabling him to live a life similar to anyone else. He spends 15-20 hours daily using his prosthesis, which is custom-made and comfortable, like a well-fitting shoe.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite progress, osteosarcoma remains a significant concern due to its lack of early symptoms and delayed detection. Moreover, the high costs of custom-made prosthetics (up to millions of pesos) pose a challenge, especially in Mexico. Advocating for insurance coverage could help individuals access this technology and manage the disease more effectively.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is osteosarcoma? Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone cancer that primarily affects males and commonly occurs in long bones like the femur, tibia, and humerus.
- How is osteosarcoma diagnosed? Osteosarcoma is typically diagnosed through X-rays revealing abnormalities in the bones.
- What role do prosthetics play in treating osteosarcoma? Prosthetics are crucial for patients who undergo surgical resection or experience pathological fractures due to osteosarcoma.
- What challenges do patients face with prosthetics? Early prosthetic designs were heavy, non-functional, and caused injuries. However, advancements in materials have led to more flexible and skin-friendly options.
- Why is insurance coverage important for osteosarcoma patients? Custom-made prosthetics can be expensive, and insurance coverage would help individuals access this technology and manage the disease more effectively.
