Bone cancer is a rare but serious form of cancer affecting a large portion of the population worldwide. It occurs when cells in the bones grow abnormally. It can start in any bone, but often affects the thighbone.
When a person has bone cancer, it generally comes from another cancer that has spread to the bones. But sometimes cancer cells start growing in the bones, and it is known as primary bone cancer. It is scarce, and only 1% of cancers are primary bone cancers.
In this blog, we’ll explore what bone cancer feels like, its symptoms, causes, and treatment options to help patients make an informed decision as early as possible.
What is Bone Cancer?
Bone cancer develops in the bone, and these cancer cells grow and harm other normal bone tissue. It is more commonly form in the thigh bone, shinbone, or upper arm. It may begin in the bone itself (primary bone cancer) or spread from other parts of the body (metastatic bone cancer). Breast, prostate, and lung tumors are most likely to spread to your bones.
Types of Bone Cancer
The four main types of primary bone cancers are:
- Osteosarcoma: It generally affects children and teens, and develops in the cells where newborn tissue forms. It typically starts in the arms or legs.
- Ewing Sarcoma: These tumors can form in the pelvis, legs, or arm bones and in the surrounding tissues. It’s most common in children but can also affect young adults.
- Chondrosarcoma: This cancer develops in the cartilage cells that allow joints and bones to move. It generally affects older people over 40.
- Chordoma: It is a rare type of tumor that develops in the spine and base of the skull. It affects adults older than 50 years and is challenging to treat.
Causes and Risk Factors
Experts are not sure about the exact cause of bone cancers, but several risk factors increase the chance of developing it:
- Genetic Factors: Some inherited genetic disorders like Li-Fraumeni syndrome, hereditary retinoblastoma, and Rothmund-Thomson syndrome may increase the risk of developing bone cancer.
- Previous Cancer Treatment: People who have undergone radiation therapy or chemotherapy to treat other cancers may have the risk.
- Paget’s Disease of the Bone: In rare cases, a chronic bone disorder, more common in older adults, can increase the risk.
It is crucial to understand that most people who develop bone cancer do not have any risk factors.
Signs and Symptoms of Bone Cancer
Some people can mistake bone cancer symptoms for other conditions like arthritis, sports injuries, growing pains in children, or Lyme disease. One should never ignore persistent or unusual signs.
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent bone pain that worsens at night
- Swelling and tenderness in the affected area
- Unexplained tiredness and weight loss
- If the tumor is near a joint, it will reduce the range of motion
- Weakened bone that fractures easily with minor falls or injuries
If someone has a chordoma, the tumor will put pressure on parts of their spinal cord or brain, and they may get nervous system symptoms:
- Double or blurry vision
- Numbness or pain in the face
- Frequent headaches
- Urinary and Fecal Incontinence
- Lower back or tailbone pain
Diagnosis
Your healthcare provider will do a physical exam, and after that, the following tests will be done to diagnose bone cancer:
- X-rays: The first imaging test to determine the shape, size, and location of the tumor.
- MRI or CT Scans: They provide more detailed images of the areas around your bones.
- Bone Scan: It helps detect abnormalities in the bones by injecting radioactive material into the vein that collects in the bones. A special camera is used to form a picture of the bones.
- Biopsy: A small piece of tumor tissue is removed from the bone and analyzed under a microscope.
Bone Cancer Staging
Bone cancer staging is a procedure that helps medical professionals understand whether the cancer is only at one place or has spread throughout the body. It will also help them to check how likely the cancer can spread if it hasn’t already.
Your doctor can either use the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society System (MSTS) or the American Joint Committee on Cancer System (AJCC).
MSTS uses the following staging guidelines:
- Stage 1: Low-grade bone tumor that hasn’t spread
- Stage 2: High-grade bone tumor that hasn’t spread outside the bones
- Stage 3: The cancer has spread
AJCC uses the following staging guidelines:
- Stage 1: Low-grade bone tumor that hasn’t spread
- Stage 2: High-grade bone tumor that hasn’t spread outside the bones
- Stage 3: High-grade bone tumor, and the cancer has spread within the same bone
- Stage 4: Cancer has spread outside the bone to other areas of the body, such as the lungs or liver
With the help of bone cancer staging, your doctor will advise you on the most effective treatment options based on the situation.
Treatment Options for Bone Cancer
Treatment for bone cancer depends on various factors such as:
- Type and stage of bone cancer
- Origin bone
- Patient’s overall health
Common treatments include:
Surgery
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- This procedure aims to move the entire tumor from the bone.
- Limb-sparing surgery is a common procedure to remove the tumor and some healthy tissues around it, while preserving the limb’s function.
- In some cases, the entire limb needs to be removed, and an artificial limb (prosthesis) will be fitted after the surgery.
Chemotherapy
- It involves using powerful drugs to kill cancer cells and is often given before or after the surgery.
- It helps control the spread of cancer and shrink the tumors.
- Chemotherapy is most effective in treating osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma.
Also Read:- Chemotherapy cost in India
Radiation Therapy
- It uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
- It can be used to shrink the tumor before surgery or when surgery is not possible.
- It is most effective for treating Ewing sarcoma.
Also Read:- Radiation therapy cost in india
Recovery from Bone Cancer Treatment
- It may take up to 6-12 months to fully recover from bone cancer treatment
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy are vital after the surgery to regain strength
- After chemotherapy or radiation, it is common to feel tired for some weeks or months; rest is necessary
- Regular follow-up visits are essential to monitor any signs of recurrence of the cancer
The recovery time also depends on the cancer stage, type, and the combination of treatments you received.
Bottom Line
Bone cancer is a rare but serious condition that demands early diagnosis and timely treatment. If detected early and haven’t spread to other parts of the body, treatment outcomes can be significantly more hopeful and effective. If you experience any of the symptoms that may indicate bone cancer, it is vital to seek medical attention as early as possible.
Remember, early interventions can save lives!
