Bone cancer can affect any bone in the body. However, it mostly affects the long bones in the arms and legs and those in the pelvis area. It is a rare disease that can affect both children and adults. Any form of cancer that begins in the body and spreads to the bones is not bone cancer. When a tumor or abnormal mass of tissue forms in a bone, bone cancer is caused.
This tumor can be malignant, which means that it grows and spreads to the other parts of the body at a fast speed. Here is all you need to know about bone cancer.
Symptoms of bone cancer
The signs and symptoms of bone cancer are:
- Bone pain
- Fatigue
- Unintended weight loss
- Weak bones that might easily fracture
- Swelling and tenderness in the affected area
- Fever
- Limping
- Night sweats
Causes of bone cancer
Experts are not sure about the exact cause of bone cancer; however, a link between bone cancer and exposure to radiation and certain drugs could trigger this condition. Other factors are:
- Inherited genetic syndromes
Certain rare genetic syndromes that are passed down through family members increase the risk of bone cancer. Some of these are Li-Fraumeni syndrome and hereditary retinoblastoma.
- Paget’s disease of bone
Paget’s disease of bone, which mainly affects older people, can increase the risk of bone cancer later.
Treatment of bone cancer
The treatment of this cancer involves a combination of approaches. The duration and type of treatments depend on various factors, such as the type of bone cancer, the size of the tumor, and the spread of the cancer. Some of the commonly used treatments are:
- Radiation therapy
In this therapy, cancer cells are destroyed using high-powered energy beams such as X-rays. During the procedure, the patient sits near a special machine that moves around them. The energy rays are aimed at precise points on the body. These rays can shrink the tumor, which makes it easier to remove. The cancer cells that are left behind can be eliminated through radiation therapy.
- Surgery
The goal of this treatment option is to remove the entire cancerous tumor. Doctors use special techniques to remove the tumor in one single piece. The surgeon tries to remove the tumor and some healthy tissue around it. They try to repair the affected bone by putting artificial bone grafts. Sometimes, the entire limb might need to be removed to treat the underlying cause of cancer. After the procedure, the patient would need to use an artificial limb. In some cases, the doctor may replace the removed bone with another bone from some other area. If the surgeon cannot remove cancer cells in one go, they tend to repeat the procedure so that no traces of cancer are left in the body.
- Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a common treatment that kills cancer cells throughout the body using a strong dose of medicine. Usually, the medication is injected into a vein, or a pill is taken orally by the patient. A doctor might use chemotherapy to treat primary bone cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
The treatment of cancer can go on indefinitely to control it. Patients need to get checked regularly to ensure that the disease has not recurred. Bone cancer isn’t common, and the symptoms of this disease are more or less similar to injuries or arthritis. However, if you have symptoms that persist for a long time, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
