Osteosarcoma predominantly affects which type of bones in children?

Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that primarily arises in the long bones of the body, particularly around the areas of the knee, such as the distal femur or proximal tibia, as well as the humerus. This cancer typically occurs during periods of rapid growth, which is often seen in older children and adolescents.

Long bones, characterized by their elongated shape, include the femur, tibia, fibula, humerus, radius, and ulna. The involvement of long bones is significant because this type of bone has a distinct architecture that can facilitate the development of osteosarcoma as it interacts with the growing skeleton.

By contrast, short bones, flat bones, and irregular bones are less commonly associated with this type of cancer. Short bones, such as those in the wrist and ankle, have a different structure and do not typically show the same patterns of growth as long bones. Flat bones (like the skull or sternum) and irregular bones (like the vertebrae) are also less prone to the development of osteosarcoma because of their structural properties and the typical locations where osteosarcoma arises.

This understanding of the specific bone types affected by osteosarcoma is important for