Bone

Bone cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the bones. The most common type of bone cancer is osteosarcoma, which typically affects the long bones of the arms and legs. Other types of bone cancer include chondrosarcoma, which arises in the cartilage-forming cells, and Ewing sarcoma, which begins in the small, round cells that are found in the bones.

While bone cancer is relatively rare, it can be very aggressive, spreading quickly to other parts of the body. Treatment typically involves surgery to remove the tumor, followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. With treatment, many people with bone cancer can achieve remission, but the disease can be difficult to cure. As a result, ongoing research is critical to finding new and more effective ways to treat this disease.

Primary bone cancer, which is also called a bone sarcoma, starts in the bones. (Sarcomas are cancers that originate from various tissues such as muscles, fibrous tissue, blood vessels and fat tissue.)

There are many types of primary bone cancer with some being more rare than others.

Long bones of the legs or upper arms are most commonly affected by bone cancer.

The primary symptoms are:

If your child or you are experiencing persistent, severe, or worsening bone pain, see a GP. Although it’s extremely unlikely to be bone cancer, it is worth exploring further.

Before treating bone cancer, your healthcare provider will often use X-rays to obtain images of your bones. To get more detailed images of the areas surrounding the bones, MRI and CT scans are usually ordered.

A healthcare provider will biopsy a small piece of tissue from the bone to confirm their cancer diagnosis. This specific information about the cancer, including where it formed, helps providers know which treatment will work best.

There are four stages of primary bone cancer, which is determined by the size and location of the tumor as well as if cancer has spread to other areas.

Stage I: The tumor is slow-growing, and the cancer cells have not spread.

Stage II: Although the cancer cells have not spread, the tumor is high-grade.

Stage III: The tumor is aggressive and has spread to other parts of the bone.

Stage IV: Cancer had spread throughout the body, including to the lungs and liver.

Treatment for bone cancer is determined by the kind of disease, whether it has grown and, if so, where. People who have bone cancer frequently collaborate with a team of healthcare providers to treat the problem. This group consists of oncologists (cancer specialists) and radiation oncologists (specialists in bones and joints).

The goal of bone cancer therapy is to reduce or eliminate the affected area. The treatment plan for bone cancer varies based on a variety of criteria, including the type of bone malignancy, the tumor’s size and whether it has spread throughout the body. The following are some of the most common treatments:

Learning about the potential side effects of your cancer treatment(s) can help you mentally prepare for them. It is also easier to manage symptoms and adverse reactions when you are knowledgeable about what to expect. There are many medications available to address common chemotherapy side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and mouth sores. In addition, newer targeted therapies often cause fewer traditional side effects than older treatments.

Radiation therapy can be used in various situations, including:

Bone cancer is typically successfully treated. Cancer never recurs in these situations. People with bone cancer sometimes need numerous operations to achieve this result. Other bone cancer patients may require therapy such as radiation and chemotherapy to keep the disease at bay. To limit the spread of cancer, these treatments might be required to continue indefinitely.

It is essential to stay in communication with your healthcare provider and schedule regular appointments to check for any signs of cancer recurrence or spread. The earlier a recurrence is caught, the sooner you can begin receiving treatment.

While the majority of bone cancers don’t have an associated risk factor, there are a few that do.

The primary known risk factors for bone cancer, such as age and existing bone diseases or inherited conditions, cannot be altered. With the exception of exposure to radiation (common during radiation therapy), there are no current lifestyle-related or environmental causes of bone cancer that we know of. So right now, there is no way to protect oneself from most types of this cancer.

A cancer diagnosis is daunting, but you can take comfort in knowing that our talented staff will be with you every step of the way. No two patients are alike, so we’ll partner with you to create a treatment plan that fits your individual needs.

We can assist you through this trying period with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of treatments. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to support you during this tough time.