Treatment:

Treatment usually starts after a biopsy of the tumor is done.

Before major surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy is usually given. This can shrink the tumopr and it makes surgery easier. It also may kill any cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body.

Common chemotherapy medicines include:

• Cisplatin
• Carboplatin (Paraplatin)
• Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
• Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
• High-dose methotrexate with leucovorin
• Ifosfamide (Ifex)

Surgery is used after chemotherapy to remove any remaining tumor. In most cases, surgery can remove the tumor while saving the affected limb (this is called limb-salvage surgery). Rarely, more radical surgery (such as amputation) may be necessary.

Support Groups:

Association of Cancer Online Resources -- www.acor.org

Cure Search for Children's Cancer --www.curesearch.org

Expectations (prognosis):

If the tumor has not spread to the lungs (pulmonary metastasis), long-term survival rates are better. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, prognosis is better but there is still a chance of cure with effective treatment.

Complications:

• Limb removal
• Spread of cancer to the lungs
• Side effects of chemotherapy

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have persistent bone pain, tenderness, or swelling.