CAUSESAlthough we do not know the exact cause of most osteosarcomas, it is known that the development of malignant tumors has to do with the mutation of the tumor suppressor genes, p53 or RB1 (Zheng et al.). Such DNA mutations can be inherited or acquired (Cancer.org). If the DNA mutation is hereditary, then the mutation is a germline mutation. A person who inherits this type of mutation will have it throughout their DNA and pass it on to their offspring. Even with an inherited mutation, it does not guarantee the onset of cancer; it simply means they are at higher risk. If the mutation is not hereditary, it can be acquired, through environmental circumstances or spontaneously. If an acquired mutation occurs, it will not affect the DNA of the entire body and will not be passed on to offspring, as it is a somatic mutation. While there may be no direct cause of osteosarcoma, there are associated risk factors, both hereditary and environmental. Knowledge of osteosarcoma risk factors and their extent is limited. However, there are some risk factors that science seems to agree play a role in the development of cancer. A possible hereditary risk factor is height. One study suggests that “taller than average” or “very tall” individuals respectively have a greater risk of osteosarcoma (Mirabello et al.). This same study also focused on birth weight, another hereditary factor, finding a correlation between increased birth weight and risk of osteosarcoma (Mirabello et al.). The study boasts a fairly large study, with 1,067 cases of height and 434 cases of birth weight data, supporting the “largest analysis of height at diagnosis and birth weight in relation to osteosarcoma” (Mirabello et al.). ... ... half of the article ...... therapy can be more localized; only body parts are therefore subject to the harsh treatment. Unfortunately, osteosarcomas are not easily killed by radiation. The prognosis of osteosarcoma varies, just like any cancer, depending on the location of the tumor and whether or not it has metastasized. If the tumor is localized, a five-year survival rate of 60-80% is estimated. If the cancer has metastasized only to the lungs, or if all tumors can be removed surgically, a five-year survival rate of 40% is estimated. However, if the osteosarcoma has spread to other organs, limbs and the like, a much lower five-year survival rate is estimated to be around 20% (Cancer.org). Research shows that age has no significant effect on prognosis. Osteosarcoma is a very rare cancer, so research is limited. However, it is a cancer that affects real people and is therefore worth paying attention to.