Overview of bone cancer
Cancer that begins in the bone is called primary bone cancer. The most common site for bone cancer to occur is in the arms and legs; however it can occur in any bone in the body. It is less likely for adults to have bone cancers than to children and young people.
Medical term given to bone cancer is sarcoma. The type of tissue affected by the cancer decides the kind of sarcoma the patient is suffering from. The most common sarcomas are
Osteosarcoma
Ewing's sarcoma and
Chondrosarcoma.
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer in young people. It is found in the agegroup of 10 to 25 years. Males are at a higher risk than females. Osteosarcoma often starts in the ends of bones, where new bone tissue forms as a young person grows. It usually affects the long bones of the arms or legs.
Ewing's sarcoma usually is found in people between 10 and 25 years old; teenagers are most often affected. This cancer forms in the middle part (shaft) of large bones. It most often affects the hip bones and the long bones in the thigh and upper arm. It also occurs in the ribs.
Chondrosarcoma is found mainly in adults. In this the tumor forms in cartilage, the rubbery tissue around joints.
Other types of bone cancer include fibrosarcoma, malignant giant cell tumor, and chordoma. These rare cancers most often affect people over 30.
It’s rare to have cancer starting in the bones. But it is not unusual for cancer to spread to the bone from other parts of the body. When this happens, the disease is not called bone cancer. Each type of cancer is named for the organ or the tissue in which it begins. Cancer that spreads is the same disease and has the same name as the original, or primary, cancer. Treatment for cancer that has spread to the bones depends on where the cancer started and the extent of the spread.
Cancers having their initial site in the muscles, fat, nerves, blood vessels, and other types of connective or supporting tissues in the body are called soft tissue sarcomas. They can affect both children and adults.
Leukemia, multiple myeloma, and lymphoma are cancers that arise in cells produced in the bone marrow. These are different diseases and are not types of bone cancer.
Causes of bone cancer
Although scientists not certain what causes bone cancer, but a number of factors may increase the chances of a person to be at risk. These factors are:
Age: The bone cancer occurs more frequently in children and young adults
Past medical history: People having radiation or chemotherapy treatments for other conditions may be at a higher risk. Adults with Paget’s disease, a noncancerous condition characterized by abnormal development of new bone cells, may be at increased risk for osteosarcoma.
Genetic factors: A small number of bone cancers are due to heredity. For example, children with hereditary retinoblastoma are at a higher risk of developing osteosarcoma.
Symptoms of bone cancer
The symptoms of bone cancer take time to be evident and tend to develop slowly. They depend on the type, location, and size of the tumor. Most frequent symptom of bone cancer is pain. If there is a firm, slightly tender lump on the bone which can be felt through the skin, there is a possibility that it may be a sign of bone cancer. In some cases, bone cancer interferes with normal movements. Bone cancer can also cause bones to be fragile and to break. However, these symptoms are not sure signs of cancer. They may also be caused by other, less serious problems. Individuals who are experiencing symptoms should consult a physician or a doctor.
Diagnosis of bone cancer
To diagnose bone cancer, the patient's personal and family medical history needs to be explored. Doctors then do a complete physical exam. In addition to checking the general signs of health, the doctor usually orders blood tests and x-rays. X-rays helps in locating the tumor and determine its exact location, size, and shape. Tumors that appear round and smooth, with distinct edges on an x-ray are benign tumors. Bone cancers generally have odd shapes and irregular edges.
If x-rays show that the tumor is possible cancer, some of the following special tests may be done. These tests can also show the extent to which the cancer has spread. These test maybe:
Bone scan
CT or CAT scan
MRI
Angiograms
Biopsy
Bone cancer treatment
Factors that are considered to decide the treatment for bone cancer are :
The type of tumor
Tumor’s location and size
Patient's age and general health.
The various treatment methods available are:
Surgery
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy.
A combination of treatment methods mentioned above is used. Surgery is part of the treatment for most bone cancers. Because the disease may recur near the original site, the surgeon removes the tumor and some healthy bone and other tissue around the tumor.
If the bone cancer occurs in an arm or leg, the surgeon tries to remove just the tumor and an area of healthy tissue around it. Nowadays the surgeons use a metal device to replace the removed bone. In cases where children are involved this device can be lengthened as the child grows. This limb-sparing procedure will require additional operations to keep expanding the artificial bone. For large tumors amputation may be necessary. Prosthesis (artificial part) can be made after amputation.
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