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What is Bone Cancer?
Cancer can spread to the bones from other organs (secondary bone cancer),
but in some very rare cases, cancer may begin in the bones (primary bone
cancer). People can develop three types of primary bone cancer:
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Osteosarcoma - Osteosarcoma arises in new bone tissue and is
the most common type of bone cancer. It is usually found in children and
adolescents
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Chondrosarcoma - Usually only found in adults, this cancer
starts in the cartilage
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Ewing's sarcoma - Primarily affecting children and adolescents, this cancer
Develops in immature nerve tissue in the bone marrow
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Risk Factors
Different diseases, including cancer, have different risk factors.
Understand that although these factors may put you at greater risk, it does
not mean they necessarily cause the disease. Risk factors for bone cancer
include:
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Family history (inherited genes)
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Bone exposure to radiation
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Bone marrow transplantation
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Having paget's disease, multiple exostoses, multiple osteochondromas, or
multiple enchondromas
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Common Symptoms
In order to diagnose bone cancer at an early stage, prompt attention to the
signs and symptoms of this disease is incredibly important. Symptoms
include:
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Pain in the affected bone that may worsen and become more constant
over time
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Swelling in the area of the pain. A lump or mass may be felt
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Weight loss
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Fatigue
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Fever
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Anemia
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Screening and Diagnosis
A doctor will review a patient's medical history and examine him/her before
diagnosing bone cancer. The patient's doctor may also use some of the
following test to help make a diagnosis:
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Blood tests
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X-rays
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Bone scan
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Computed Tomography (CT) scan - CT scans use a computer to combine a
series of x-rays and produce a three-dimensional image of internal
organs and structures within the body.
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - MRI uses radio waves and magnetic
fields to obtain superbly detailed anatomical images of the body.
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Angiogram - This is a test where a special dye is injected into the
blood vessels supplying the portion of the body where the tumor resides.
This process allows the doctors to view the blood supply of a tumor.
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Biopsy - a biopsy is required to determine whether cancer is present.
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Common Treatment Options
Treatment for bone cancer is based on the type, stage, and size of the
tumor, as well as the patient's personal preferences, prognosis, and ability
to tolerate certain medical procedures or medications. Preserving healthy
tissue while destroying tumors at their point of origin, in addition to any
cancer cells that have spread throughout the body, is the goal of treatment.
Surgery
Depending on the type and stage of the bone cancer, surgery may be used to
remove the cancer and some of the nearby tissue. The surgeon takes out the
cancerous tissue while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible. Because
only very specific situations may call for amputation of a limb, patients
should ask their surgeon to explain the best way to remove the cancer and
keep as much use of the involved arm or leg as possible.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a non-surgical method of treatment of cancer and other
diseases using penetrating beams of high-energy waves called x-rays or gamma
rays. Radiation injures or kills tumor cells by damaging their genetic
material, making it impossible for these cells to continue to grow. The two
types of radiation therapy are:
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External-beam radiation therapy- Specialized medical
equipment is used to deliver radiation to the tumor site from outside
the body
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Internal radiation therapy (also called Brachytherapy)-
Radioactive material is placed in the body near the cancer cells (also
called implant radiation or brachytherapy)
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The way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the
cancer being treated.
Radiation therapy is most commonly used as the main treatment for Ewing's
tumors. Sometimes used as the primary treatment of bone cancers, radiation
can be used as an adjuvant (additional) therapy to kill very small clusters
of cancer cells that cannot be seen and removed during surgery. This process
will be performed after surgery. Radiation therapy can also be used to ease
the symptoms of bone cancer. It is most commonly used as the main treatment
for Ewing's tumors.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of
cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells from
dividing. Depending on the type and stage of bone tumor, chemotherapy may be
given as the primary treatment or as an adjuvant (additional) treatment to
surgery. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken orally or by injection depending on
the type and stage of the cancer and the drug protocol the doctor has
prescribed. It is important that each patient discusses his/her treatment
protocol with the treatment team so any possible side effects are made aware
of.
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