Telangiectatic Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is one of the most common primary malignant bone tumors in children and adolescents. Telangiectatic osteosarcoma is an unusual variant of osteosarcoma, forming 3% to 10% of all osteosarcomas. Radiographically, these tumors appear as purely lytic destructive lesions located in the metaphyses of long bones. The location and x-ray appearance of telangiectatic osteosarcomas are reminiscent of an aneurysmal bone cyst and can test the acumen of a diagnostic radiologist. Distinguishing between the two entities microscopically can also be quite challenging. Telangiectatic osteosarcoma shows dilated blood-filled spaces lined or traversed by septa containing atypical stromal cells, with or without production of a lacelike osteoid matrix. This review highlights the diagnostic features of telangiectatic osteosarcoma and discusses differential diagnostic considerations, treatment options, and prognostic implications. (Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2012;136:572-576; doi: 10.5858/arpa.2011-0204-RS)