Participants
Ahmad Ilyasa Basheer Ahmad
Bone tumours in children and young adults, mainly osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, are rare and usually have no known cause. This review examined genes, birth and childhood events, growth patterns, parents’ jobs, and environmental exposures. Only a small number of cases are explained by inherited genetic conditions such as TP53 (also called Li-Fraumeni). Faster or greater growth during teenage years is linked to a higher risk of osteosarcoma; Ewing sarcoma does not show a clear link with height. A previous history of certain hernias was slightly more common before Ewing sarcoma. Many suspected causes — including fluoride in drinking water, common childhood infections, and most parents’ jobs — lack convincing evidence. Some studies suggest possible links to pesticides or nearby industrial pollution, but results are inconsistent and based on small samples. Overall, there are few clear actions people can take now. Larger studies combining better genetic tests with improved measures of environmental exposure are needed to find causes and guide better prevention efforts.