Bone cancer is one of the types of cancer that develops in your bones. Primary bone cancer usually begins inside the bone and tumors that originate from other organs can also spread to your bones. Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are some of the treatments that are available for bone cancer.

Bone cancer – What is it exactly?

Bone cancer is a term that is used for a variety of cancers that originate in the bones. Cancer cells that grow inside a bone have the capacity to harm the normal bone tissue. The type of bone cancer is determined using the type of cell, tissue and where it develops.

Cancers that develop inside the bone itself are called primary bone cancers. Tumors that develop in other organs or in different parts of the body have the ability to spread to the bones and even to other areas. These growths are referred to as secondary or metastatic bone cancers. Breast, lung and prostate tumors most commonly can metastasize or spread to the bones.

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How commonly does bone cancer occur ?

Bone cancers occur less commonly and they are very rare. They are more common in children, teenagers and young adults when compared to older adults and have the ability to start off at any age.

Bone Cancer and its Origin

We already know that there are a variety of bone cancers and the origin depends on which type of bone cancer you have.

• Osteosarcoma : This is the most common type of bone cancer and this osteosarcoma develops in the cells where new bone tissue forms. It can form in any bone but it usually develops at the ends of large bones such as arms and legs. Osteosarcoma can most commonly be diagnosed in children and teenagers.
• Ewing Sarcoma : This bone cancer is named after the doctor who described this type of cancer. Ewing sarcoma consists of various tumors that share similar characteristics and are thought to start in the same types of cells within the body. The tumors of Ewing sarcoma can form inside the bones and in the surrounding soft tissues. These tumors usually grow in the hips, ribs and shoulder blades or even on the long bones of the legs.
• Chondrosarcoma : This cancer type begins in a tissue called cartilage. Cartilage is a soft connective tissue that enables smooth movement between bones and joints. When the body adds calcium to this connective tissue, it becomes a bone. Arms, legs and pelvic bones are affected by this bone cancer. This cancer occurs more commonly in adults when compared to younger people.
• Chordoma : Chordoma is a rare tumor that begins in the bones of the spine and it develops usually at the base of the spine or at the base of the skull. This bone cancer occurs more frequently in older adults and men are more likely to develop this cancer type when compared to women.

Staging of Bone Cancer

Staging of bone cancer is determined by the size and location of the tumor and based on whether or not the cancer has spread to other areas. There are actually four stages that are a part of primary cancer.

Stage 1 : Low grade tumor and localized cancer cells.

Stage 2 : Cancer cells are still localized but the tumor turns into high-grade tumor.

Stage 3 : The tumor remains high-grade but the cancer has spread to other regions within the same bone.

Stage 4 : Bone cancer has metastasized (spread) from the bone to other areas of the body like the lungs or liver.

What Could be the Potential Signs and Symptoms of Bone Cancer?

Some people experience no symptoms other than feeling a painless lump while for others a plethora of symptoms can develop. These symptoms can also be caused by other conditions like arthritis or Lyme disease, which might lead to a delay in diagnosis.

These following signs are the most common signs of bone cancer:

• Pain ( this pain usually gets worse at night )
• Swelling that is unexplainable
• Finding difficulty in moving around
• Fatigue
• Fever

Experts are uncertain as to what causes bone cancer but they have found links with other factors. They have found that being exposed to radiation or drugs that are used for other cancers contribute to bone cancers. These cancers could also be passed down through heredity.

When Should You See a Doctor For Bone Cancer ?

Visit your doctor or healthcare provider whenever you develop any bone pain or swelling. If you are already undergoing bone cancer treatment, be sure to inform about any other new symptoms that you notice. If you are diagnosed with bone cancer, then you may ask these questions to empower yourself and better understand your situation.

1. What is the specific type of cancer am I diagnosed with?
2. Is there any indication that bone cancer has metastasized to other parts of my body?
3. What tests are necessary to determine its extent?
4. What are the different treatment options that I can consider?
5. What is my prognosis or outlook with this diagnosis?

You can visit Thangam Cancer Center, the top hospitals for cancer treatment to experience cutting-edge cancer treatment. When diagnosed and treated early, bone cancers can be treated successfully.