Linking Environmental Hazards to Osteosarcoma Development: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

In recent years, the potential role of environmental exposure factors in the development of osteosarcoma has garnered significant attention. Osteosarcoma, a common malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents, exhibits a complex pathogenesis. Current research suggests that various environmental factors, including ionizing radiation, heavy metal exposure, fluoride-contaminated drinking water, air pollution, alkylating agents, viral infections, and occupational exposures, may be associated with an increased risk of osteosarcoma. Ionizing radiation, a well-documented etiological factor, is closely linked to the onset of osteosarcoma, primarily through mechanisms involving DNA damage and genetic instability. Heavy metals can enter the human body via multiple environmental pathways, such as water, air, and the food chain, disrupting the proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of bone cells and thereby promoting the progression of osteosarcoma. Additionally, alkylating agent chemotherapy and viral infections have also been implicated in the development of osteosarcoma. Although the association between these factors and osteosarcoma has been preliminarily established, the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. This study aims to synthesize existing literature to explore the potential roles of environmental exposure factors in the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma, providing a comprehensive reference for a deeper understanding of its etiology.