There are many types of bone cancer. Bone cancer may be one of them. Primary bone cancer occurs when cancer begins in the bone. Cancer that starts in the bones can spread to other organs or parts of the body. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are often used to treat this condition.
What is bone cancer?
Several types of cancer develop in the bones, collectively known as bone cancer. Cancer cells can harm normal bone tissue when they cells grow in the bone. Based on the type of cell and tissue that begins cancer, the type of bone cancer will vary. The type of bone cancer that originates within the bone itself is primary bone cancer. Cancer can spread to the bones and other parts of the body when it begins in organs. Metastatic bone tumours result from cancer spreading from one organ to another. The most common form of metastatic (spreading) tumours is breast, prostate, and lung tumours.
How common is bone cancer?
There are a limited number of bone cancers. Fewer than 1% of American cancers originate from the bones. Children, teenagers, and young adults are more likely than older adults to develop them.
Where does bone cancer usually start?
You may need different treatment options depending on your type of bone cancer. The primary types of bone cancer are described below.
- Osteosarcoma: Osteosarcoma develops in cells that form new bone tissue, the most common kind of bone cancer. Any bone can be affected, but the arms and legs are more frequently affected than smaller bones. The most common osteosarcoma diagnosis among children and teenagers is by providers.
- Ewing sarcoma: In addition to Ewing sarcoma, which is named after the doctor who described this type of bone cancer in 1920, there are many tumours with similar properties which begin in similar places in the body. In addition to forming in the bones, these tumours can also develop in soft tissues around the bones. Common locations of Ewing sarcoma are the hips, ribs, shoulder blades, and long bones such as the legs.
- Chondrosarcoma: The cartilage tissue is the first place chondrosarcoma begins. Joints and bones can move around through cartilage, a soft connective tissue. As it becomes calcified, some cartilage can be made into bone. These cancerous growths usually form on the arm, leg, or pelvis. The tendency of chondrosarcoma to develop in adults is unlike that of osteosarcomas and Ewing sarcomas.
- Chordoma: Normally, this tumour arises from the spine’s bones, either at the spinal column or at the base of the skull. Unlike chondrosarcoma, chordoma usually develops in older individuals. This type of bone cancer is more likely to affect men than women.
Can a benign bone tumour become cancerous?
There are instances of it, but they are rare. Nevertheless, people with benign bone tumours still may require treatment in order to reduce their chances of developing weak bones, joint problems, and harm to healthy tissue.
What should I know about bone cancer staging?
Depending on the size and location of the tumour and whether cancer has spread, the cancer is assigned a stage. Among the four stages of primary bone cancer are:
- Stage 1: Tumor cells are still localized and of low grade.
- Stage 2: However, the tumour has a high grade, even though the cancer cells are still localized.
- Stage 3: Cancer has spread to other parts of the bone from the high-grade tumour.
- Stage 4: He had cancer in other parts of his body, such as his lungs and liver.
What are common bone cancer symptoms?
Those with bone cancer commonly feel a lump and no other symptoms. However, different symptoms may develop in others. The symptoms may also be caused by other conditions, like arthritis or Lyme disease, causing the diagnosis to take longer. Bone cancer is commonly recognized as:
- Pain (usually worse at night).
- Unexplained swelling.
- Difficulty moving around.
- Feeling extra tired (fatigue).
What causes bone cancer?
They have found links between bone cancer and other factors, but there is no single cause for bone cancer. Being exposed to radiation or drugs while being treated for other cancers is an essential factor to consider. The cause of bone cancer can be passed down through the family (hereditary), although this is not common.
How is bone cancer diagnosed?
You will most likely be treated with X-ray images of your bones as part of your diagnosis of bone cancer. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a computerized tomography (CT) scan will offer a more detailed picture of the area around the bone, which is usually done before any treatment. The diagnosis will be formally confirmed through a biopsy, which involves removing a small piece of bone tissue and examining it under a microscope. During the biopsy, specific information will be obtained about cancer and its origins. This type of information can help providers determine which course of treatment is appropri
