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Small cell osteosarcoma

Summary

This rare subtype of osteosarcoma accounts for less than 1% of all osteosarcoma tumors. This tumor occurs in the metaphysis of the long bones.

Patients present with local pain and swelling.
On x-rays, a blastic lesion it extends into the shaft of the bone with a permeative destructive pattern is seen.
These tumors have a poor prognosis. Chemotherapy and surgery are used.
Complete Information on this Tumor
Introduction and Definition: 

This rare subtype of osteosarcoma accounts for approximately 1% of all osteosarcomas.

Incidence and Demographics: 
The most frequent site is the long bones, but there are reports of this lesion occurring in numerous locations, including the calcaneus and in the ulna.
Symptoms and Presentation: 

Similar to those of conventional osteosarcoma.

X-Ray Appearance and Advanced Imaging Findings: 
And aggressive, permeative, destructive blastic lesion is seen in the metaphysis of the bone which extends into the shaft.
Differential Diagnosis: 
Ewing sarcoma, mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, other small cell lesions including lymphoma, Askin tumor, PNET.
Histopathology findings: 
On microscopic analysis, small cell osteosarcoma shows scanty osteoid formation. There are mostly solid areas of small round or spindle cells that may resemble other small cell sarcomas, such as Ewing sarcoma. The small amount of osteoid formation makes these tumors a challenge for the pathologist. On electromyograph microscopy, no single pathognomonic ultrastructural features have identified.
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