Osteosarcoma: What is the disease and what are the fundraising opportunities?

Osteosarcoma is an aggressive malignant cancer that develops from bone tissue. This type of bone cancer is one of the most common and is characterised by the fact that it develops rapidly and often spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs. Osteosarcoma affects osteoblasts, the cells that are responsible for building bone. It is for this reason that it mainly affects young people during the period of intense growth, when bones develop most rapidly.

What is osteosarcoma?

Osteosarcoma accounts for about 3-5% of all childhood cancers, but despite its relatively low incidence, the disease is extremely aggressive. Symptoms include pain in the affected area, swelling and easy brittleness of the bones. If not diagnosed and treated promptly, osteosarcoma can spread and lead to severe complications.

Osteosarcoma is most common in teenagers and young adults between the ages of 10 and 20. This is the period when the bones grow rapidly, especially in the long bones of the hands and feet. Although the disease can affect people of all ages, men are more susceptible than women. The tumor is usually localized around the knees, femur or upper arm. In rare cases, osteosarcoma can also occur in other bones of the body.

How is osteosarcoma treated?

Early diagnosis plays a critical role in the success of osteosarcoma treatment. The earlier the disease is detected, the better the chances of successful therapy and the lower the risks of metastasis to other organs. The treatment of osteosarcoma requires a multidisciplinary approach as the main methods include chemotherapy, surgery and in some cases radiotherapy. These three methods often work together to provide the patient with the best chance of a complete cure while minimizing the chances of recurrence.

1. Chemotherapy: the first line of attack

Chemotherapy is often the first step in treating the disease. It involves administering powerful drugs that destroy cancer cells or slow their growth. In most cases, patients begin with several courses of chemotherapy before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor and facilitate its removal. This preoperative stage is known as neoadjuvant chemotherapy. After surgery, chemotherapy may be continued to destroy any remaining cancer cells that were not removed with surgery. This stage is called adjuvant chemotherapy.

2. Surgery.

After chemotherapy, it's the turn of surgery to remove the tumor and affected tissue. Depending on the location and size of the tumor, surgery may involve partial resection of the bone or even amputation. In recent years, thanks to advances in medicine, many patients can undergo limb-sparing surgery, which is a big step forward in improving quality of life after treatment.

3. Radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy is not a common treatment for this type of cancer, as the bone tissues do not respond well to radiotherapy. However, it can be used in cases where the tumor cannot be completely removed with surgery or if there is metastasis to other parts of the body. Radiotherapy works by applying concentrated radiation to the affected area in order to destroy the remaining cancer cells.

New and experimental treatments

Although standard treatment methods have proven effective, medicine continues to search for new solutions. One modern approach is targeted therapy, in which drugs target only the cancer cells without damaging healthy tissue. Another promising area is immune therapy, which stimulates a patient's immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. These new methods are still in the clinical trials stage, but the results are encouraging.

How much does it cost to treat osteosarcoma?

The total cost of treatment varies depending on the severity of the disease, the therapy methods chosen and the medical services that are needed. Average costs can range between tens and hundreds of thousands of euros, and this amount includes not only direct medical services but also a range of other related costs and directly depends on the country in which the patient is being treated.

Major costs:

1. Medical services: This includes the cost of hospitalisation, examinations, diagnostic tests, operations and monitoring by specialists.

2. Chemotherapy and medication: The cost of chemotherapy varies depending on the number of cycles required and the type of medication used.

3. Rehabilitation: After surgical procedures and chemotherapy, many patients need intensive rehabilitation to regain mobility and strength.

4. Other associated costs: In addition to medical costs, there are often additional costs for transport to hospital, assistive devices (such as prostheses if amputation is required) and adapting the home for the patient's specific needs.

Options for financial assistance

To cope with the high costs, patients can benefit from various forms of financial support. Health insurance covers some of the costs, but in many cases it is not enough to cover all the costs. In such cases, crowdfunding platforms such as PavelAndreev.ORG become an important fundraising tool.

Crowdfunding as a method to raise funds for osteosarcoma treatment - what are the pros?

Crowdfundingis one of the effective and modern ways to raise funds for a serious diagnosis like osteosarcoma . This crowdfunding method enables people to launch online campaigns to raise funds from a large pool of people. Crowdfunding not only facilitates access to the necessary financial resources, but also creates a large network of potential donors willing to donate again to the specific cause.

How does crowdfunding work?

Crowdfunding platforms allow people to start a campaign where they share their story, their medical needs and the amount needed for treatment. The initiative can be spread through social media, email or other communication channels, allowing for a large audience reach. Anyone wishing to help can make a donation. Even small amounts from many people can be collected and form a significant sum in a short time.

Benefits of crowdfunding for osteosarcoma patients

• Wide accessibility: crowdfunding is accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Patients can easily create a campaign and tell their story to thousands of people around the world.

• Community engagement: One of the main benefits of crowdfunding is that it mobilises the community around the patient. In addition to raising money, this method creates a sense of solidarity and support.

• Focus on fundraising: Compared to traditional fundraising methods, crowdfunding can be an extremely quick method of financial support. This is especially important for emergencies such as osteosarcoma treatment where time is critical.

• Transparency and trust: Crowdfunding platforms allow full transparency about the funds raised and how they are used.

Crowdfunding is not just a funding tool - it is a way of bringing together people who want to help those who need support the most.

Start a campaign on PavelAndreev.ORG.

Launch an online fundraising campaign through the PavelAndreev.ORG platform

Launching an online fundraising campaign through the PavelAndreev.ORG platform is an easy and effective way to raise funds for cancer treatment and other medical needs.

How to start a campaign on the PavelAndreev.ORG platform?

• Starting acampaign. The process is easy and only takes a few minutes.

• Tell the story: Tell the story of the person you are targeting. Choose a short and clear headline. The description should tell in detail about the diagnosis, the treatment needed and why the funds are so needed now. Don't forget to include photos and documents to support your cause - this increases credibility with donors.

• Set atarget amount. It is important that this amount reflects the actual needs, including the cost of treatment, medication, rehabilitation and other related services.

• Once the campaign is set up, the platform offers easy sharing options on Facebook, LinkedIn, X(Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and YouTube .

Tips for running a successful campaign

• Update content regularly.

• Give feedback: Thank people who have made a donation and share the results of their support. This encourages repeat donations and creates a bond between patient and donors.

The PavelAndreev.ORG platform provides a real opportunity for patients and their families to raise the necessary funds for treatment and get the support they need. You too can be part of this change! Start a campaign now.