Bone cancer, or bone sarcoma, is a rare cancer that occurs when the healthy cells in a bone undergo unwanted changes. This uncontrolled growth of bones leads to the formation of tumors.
High-grade osteosarcoma is highly aggressive when it comes to growth and is a malignant primary cancer. This type of osteosarcoma is marked by its fast growth rate and the ability to metastasize to other organs in the body.
Bone cancer implies the uncontrolled growth of malignant tumors in the bones tissues. In simple words, the answer to the question, “What is bone cancer?” is that it is a cancer of the bones. Cancer can affect any age group; however, some cancer types are common among kids and young adults, while others are prevalent among adults. Also, the types of bone tumors are characterized by their own symptoms and treatments required.
Bone cancer is a rare cancer type as compared to other forms of cancer. However, it can affect people of any age group. For example, Ewing Sarcoma affects mostly young adults, while chondrosarcoma commonly affects older adults.
Bone cancer can start in any bone of the body, but it usually affects the long bones in the legs, arms, and pelvis. Also, the location of the cancer depends on the bone cancer type affecting the bone. For example, while osteosarcoma affects the thighbone, upper arm bone, or shinbone, Chordoma initiates in the bone cartilage.
Bone tumor classification is based on the source of origination of the cancerous cells. There are two types of bone tumors: primary bone cancer and secondary bone cancer. Primary bone cancers are the ones that start in the bone tissues themselves, and secondary bone cancer, also known as metastasis bone cancer, spreads to the bone from other body parts.
Bone tumor classification is based on the source of origination of the cancerous cells. There are two types of bone tumors: primary bone cancer and secondary bone cancer. Primary bone cancers are the ones that start in the bone tissues themselves, and secondary bone cancer, also known as metastasis bone cancer, spreads to the bone from other body parts.
Osteosarcoma cancer is an aggressive primary bone cancer that starts in the bone tissue. It is also one of the most common bone cancer types. The cancer is commonly found in young adults and kids and affects the long bones, such as those of the arms and legs.
Low-grade osteosarcoma is a rare sub-type of osteosarcoma cancer that is marked by a slow growth rate. This type of cancer affects people who are in their 20s mainly and usually initiates in the long bones, such as those of the arms and legs. However, it may also start in the skull, jawline, or pelvis.
As the name suggests, an osteosarcoma that lies between low-grade and high-grade osteosarcoma cancer when it comes to aggressiveness is known as an intermediate-grade osteosarcoma. This cancer portrays a moderate level of aggressiveness in its growth, as it is neither slow-growing like low-grade osteosarcoma nor fast-growing like high-grade osteosarcoma.
High-grade osteosarcoma is highly aggressive when it comes to growth and is a malignant primary cancer. This type of osteosarcoma is marked by its fast growth rate and the ability to metastasize to other organs in the body.
Chondrosarcoma is a primary bone cancer that starts in the bone cartilage cells. Cartilage is a connective tissue that is responsible for cushioning the ends of the bones. This type of bone cancer is usually found in the bones that contain cartilage, such as femur, pelvis, etc.
Ewing tumor, or Ewing sarcoma, is a bone cancer type that affects the soft tissues and bones. Found commonly among kids between the ages of 10 and 20, this cancer type usually affects the bones in the arms, legs, and pelvis.
Chordoma is a bone cancer type that originates in the notochord. The notochord is a tissue responsible for forming the spine in the embryo. As this cancer is located near the spinal cord, it becomes quite difficult to treat it.
Here are other types of bone cancer:
Multiple myeloma is a cancer that affects plasma cells, which are a kind of white blood cell found mostly in the bone marrow. Uncontrolled growth of these plasma cells can lead to issues such as bone cancer, anemia, and other bone infections.
Leukemia is a cancer that initiates in the blood-forming tissues, for example, the bone marrow. When leukemia spreads to the bones, it can result in secondary bone cancer.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that starts in the lymphatic system of the body. Again, when non-Hodgkin lymphoma metastasizes to the bone, it can result in secondary bone cancer.
Bone tumor classification into stages assists doctors in understanding the extent of cancer spread in the body, designing an effective treatment, and also predicting the likely prognosis. Here are different bone cancer stages:
Stage 1 is known to be an early-stage bone cancer in which the bone tumor is very small and has not spread at all to the neighboring lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
Stag 2 is a little more advanced than stage 1, and at this point, the tumor is a little larger. Also, the symptoms at this stage are similar to those of early-stage bone cancer, but they are more severe.
Stage 3 comes under the final stages of bone cancer, and at this point, the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and other body parts. Also, the symptoms at this stage are much more severe than in the early two stages.
Stage 4 is among the most advanced final stages of bone cancer and the cancer at this stage has already spread to other vital organs, such as lungs, liver, etc.
Bone cancer, or bone carcinoma, is a rare yet serious disease that develops in the bones. There are different types of bone cancer, but the most common are Ewing sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and osteosarcoma.
Though bone sarcoma can affect any bone in the body, it usually affects the long bones of the arms and legs or the pelvis. Also, bone cancer symptoms vary depending on the cancer type and the tumor's location in the body.
However, there are some common symptoms for each type of bone cancer. Knowing these symptoms helps in a proper diagnosis of the cancer and affects the treatment adopted as well.
Some types of bone carcinoma affect primarily kids and young adults, while others affect adults more commonly. For example, Osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma affect children and adults, while Chondrosarcoma is commonly found among adults.
Here are some of the signs of bone cancer that are primarily associated with bone carcinoma.
Constant bone pain, usually at night or after some physical activity, is a symptom of cancer in the bone. This kind of bone pain is usually counted among the most common osteosarcoma symptoms.
Swelling and tenderness near the affected area are other common signs of bone cancer. This symptom is often accompanied by a painless lump in the affected area, too.
A weak bone that may become susceptible to fractures even after a minor injury is also counted among common bone cancer symptoms.
Here are some other less-known symptoms of bone sarcoma.
Fatigue is not counted among the specific symptoms of bone cancer but may be prevalent among some patients.
Unusual weight loss without any effort can be a sign of bone cancer. Though it may be caused by other reasons as well, it is also a less common symptom of bone carcinoma.
Fever or chills are not a primary sign of bone cancer, but some patients may experience them. The fever may be a result of certain conditions associated with bone cancer as well, such as infection in the affected part or a complication due to the cancer.
Again, anemia is not considered one of the direct symptoms of bone sarcoma. It is a condition marked by reduced levels of hemoglobin, or red blood cells.
Though the real causes of bone tumors are unknown, there are some factors that may contribute to the development of this cancer.
Inherited genetic syndromes imply conditions inherited by kids from their parents. These syndromes are also regarded as a reason for bone cancer and many other health issues.
Paget's disease of the bone is a disorder that leads to abnormalities in the growth of bone tissues. These abnormalities in the growth of bone tissues are often regarded as one of the potential causes of osteosarcoma.
Radiation therapy is an effective line of treatment for different cancer types. However, overexposure to radiation in cancer treatments poses some risks, including the danger of developing bone cancer.
Since bone cancer's early symptoms may be mistaken for some of the lesser-known health conditions, this can make a bone cancer diagnosis a little difficult. If an individual has been experiencing the bone cancer symptoms mentioned above, it is always advisable to visit the doctor as soon as possible.
Bone cancer diagnosis is an important step toward designing a successful treatment process as per the patient's condition and requirements. Also, it goes without saying that, like other cancer types, early diagnosis of the disease does help increase the bone cancer treatment success rate.
Also, testing for bone cancer includes multiple approaches, including physical examination, biopsy, and imaging. These tests help the doctor evaluate the stage and type of cancer and bone tumor medical procedure for further treatments.
Here are the common bone cancer tests for a valid and definitive diagnosis of the cancer.
Doctors conduct biopsies to make a clear distinction between malignant and benign tumors in addition to identifying other kinds of bone deformities or abnormalities. Also, a biopsy of the bone tissue helps in determining the specific type of cancer. There are two main methods of doing a biopsy: needle biopsy and surgical biopsy.
As per this method of bone cancer test, a thin hollow needle is inserted into the tumor through the skin to extract a small tissue sample. The patient is under the influence of local anesthesia when this bone tumor medical procedure is performed. Also, the doctor is guided by techniques such as CT scans and X-rays for precise targeting of the bone tumor.
A surgical biopsy involves the doctor making an incision to access the tumors directly. Through this incision, the doctor then removes a part of the sample for examination under a microscope. This surgical biopsy is used in cases where the tumor to be tested is located in a difficult place.
X-ray, as an imaging test, helps doctors get a clear picture of the bone sarcoma and its spread. X-rays are highly effective in detecting any damage or abnormalities in the bones caused by the growth of cancer. In addition, the x-rays are also useful in determining the real cause of a bone deformity, whether it is due to cancer or any other reason.
A bone scan uses radiotracers and a high-quality camera to detect and evaluate any bone abnormalities, including bone cancer. A bone scan is useful in determining whether the cancer has spread to other body parts or not.
Computed tomography, or CT scan, is an imaging test that offers detailed images of the internal body parts. A CT scan is useful in revealing the detailed position, size, characteristics, and extent of the spread of cancer.
MRI is a highly-powerful imaging test used for effective bone cancer diagnosis. An MRI offers a detailed picture of bones, soft tissues, and structures for any abnormalities, if any. Also, during a bone cancer diagnosis, an MRI is helpful in determining if there have been any changes in the bone marrow due to the cancer's spread.
PET, or a combination of PET-CT scans, are also part of the imaging tests that are useful for the diagnosis and staging of bone cancer. These scans offer detailed information about anatomical structures and metabolic activity, in addition to any uncontrolled growth in the affected bone.
A bone cancer diagnosis is never made with a blood test. However, these blood tests can be helpful in providing the required support for a conclusive diagnosis. Doctors conduct blood tests to test the levels of two essential enzymes in a patient's blood. These are alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase. An elevated level of these enzymes can indicate bone cancer, as it implies a reduction in healthy cells.
Here are some effective bone tumor treatments often adopted by doctors as per every individual patient's health condition and cancer type.
Bone tumor surgery is considered the first line of bone cancer treatment. However, the surgical treatment is dependent upon factors such as the type of bone cancer, the tumor's location, size, stage of the cancer, and the patient's health condition. A bone tumor surgery is conducted with the goal of removing the cancerous tumor and preserving a maximum of healthy cells to ensure limb function.
Another effective method of bone cancer treatment is radiation therapy. It can be used either alone or in combination with surgery, chemotherapy, or other treatment options. Radiation therapy uses high-intensity radiation beams to target and damage the cancerous cells present in the affected bone. This treatment is effective in the management of localized bone tumors and decreases the chances of cancer recurrence.
Chemotherapy for bone cancer includes the use of drugs to either kill or slow the development of cancerous cells. Chemotherapy can be used to treat both primary and secondary bone cancers. The particular chemotherapy medicine for bone cancer is selected based on the type, stage, and size of the cancer.
Targeted therapy, as the name suggests, refers to a line of treatment that uses drugs to target particular molecules, genes, or proteins that contribute to the spread and growth of cancerous cells. The treatment method has a high success rate, especially for osteosarcoma treatment.
Immunotherapy is a bone cancer treatment method that works by improving the human immune system's ability to identify and fight cancerous cells. While cancerous cells hide from T-cells, a kind of white blood cell responsible for fighting different infections, immunotherapy improves the immune system's ability to identify these hidden cells. Immunotherapy is among the common methods used for Ewing sarcoma treatments.
When selecting a hospital for bone cancer diagnosis and treatment, HCG tops the list. HCG's team of highly trained multidisciplinary experts, advanced diagnostic tools, best available patient care, and perfect treatment options make it the best place for bone cancer treatment.
Unfortunately, there is no confirmed answer to the question 'how to prevent bone cancer.' However, early detection and an understanding of the bone cancer risk factors can surely increase the chances of a successful treatment.
A risk factor is any condition or habit that can increase the chances of developing a particular disease. Some of these risk factors are modifiable, while others are not. However, having these risk factors does not mean that the patient will have bone cancer. Possessing these factors just increases the chances of developing a bone carcinoma.
Here are some bone cancer risk factors that contribute to the growth or development of cancerous cells in patients.
Certain bone disorders and conditions that cause changes or abnormalities in the bone tissue can increase the risk of developing cancer. Here are some of these bone disorders that can increase the risk of bone cancer.
Paget’s disease of the bone is a condition that results in abnormalities in the bone's growth. It also results in weakened or deformed bones that can change the bone's density and structure.
Though Paget’s disease of the bone does not cause cancer, it can increase the risk of developing bone carcinoma, especially osteosarcoma.
Fibrosis dysplasia is a chronic condition that results in the irregular development of fibrous tissue that replaces healthy bone. Again, the abnormalities in the bone due to the fibrous tissue can become a risk factor for bone sarcoma, such as osteosarcoma.
Osteogenesis imperfecta, also referred to as brittle bone disease, is basically a genetic disorder. It hampers the production of collagen, which is a protein responsible for granting strength and forming the structures of the bones.
The issues created in the bone structures due to Osteogenesis imperfecta are also counted among secondary bone cancer risk factors.
Chondroma and osteochondroma are benign tumors that do not lead to the development of bone cancer. However, these tumors can be a risk factor for chondrosarcoma, a type of bone carcinoma.
Exposure to radiation is also counted among the common bone cancer risk factors, as it can hamper the bone cells' DNA. People who suffer from overexposure to radiation, such as people undergoing cancer treatment, are at a high risk of developing bone cancer.
Radiation therapy as a cancer treatment makes use of high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. In addition, the radiation treatment can also damage the healthy cells around the affected area.
Exposure to ionizing radiation from atomic bombs can alter the DNA of healthy cells, which can be a high risk factor for bone cancer.
Radium, a radioactive element, is known to discharge ionizing radiation, which has the ability to cause DNA mutations in cells. This hampering can increase the risk of developing bone cancer.
Plutonium is another radioactive element that is regarded as a possible bone cancer risk factor. It is a toxic radiative material that releases ionizing radiation, which can increase the risk of developing cancer.
Certain genetic conditions can result in unwanted changes in the genes responsible for normal cell division and growth. These changes, in turn, can lead to bone cancer.
Retinoblastoma is a type of eye cancer that is a result of mutations in the RB1 gene, a tumor suppressor gene. Now, patients who suffer from hereditary retinoblastoma possess a copy of this mutation of the RB1 gene in every healthy cell. This condition leads to an increased risk of developing other cancers, such as bone cancer.
Werner syndrome is a genetic condition that leads to the premature aging of certain healthy tissues. Werner syndrome is related to the WRN gene mutation. The WRN gene contributes significantly to DNA repair and genomic stability. However, an unwanted mutation in this gene can also increase the risk of developing bone cancer, especially osteosarcoma.
Li-Fraumeni syndrome is associated with genetic mutations in the TP53 gene. This gene is responsible for preventing tumor development and regulating cell growth. Thus, abnormalities in this particular gene automatically increase the risk of developing bone cancer, such as osteosarcoma.
Rothmund-Thomson syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the RECQL4 gene. This gene is responsible for the repair and maintenance of the DNA in cells, and its abnormalities can increase the chances of developing other cancers, including bone cancer.
Bloom syndrome is caused by mutations in the BLM gene, which is again associated with DNA repair and maintenance. Changes in this particular gene can also increase the risk of bone cancer in patients.
Hereditary multiple exostoses result in the development of benign tumors known as osteochondromas. Though these tumors are not cancerous, they can increase the risk of developing secondary bone cancers such as chondrosarcoma.
Here are some lesser-known or even unknown bone cancer risk factors:
The link between previous injuries or fractures and bone cancer is not well established, but there are some points to be considered. For example, repeated injuries can cause inflammation in the affected area, which can become a risk factor for secondary bone cancer. Also, some bone cancers, such as osteosarcoma, can, in rare cases, develop in the bones affected by previous injuries or traumas.
Surgical implants may sometimes lead to allergies or infections in the patient's body, leading to inflammation. However, there is no linked research to show the association between the risk of bone cancer and surgical implants, though there have been cases portraying this link.
The SV40 virus is a kind of polyomavirus that can affect both humans and animals. There have been some studies that have shown a link between the SV40 virus and an increased risk of developing bone cancer.
Though there is no definite way to prevent bone cancer, there are some things that can help in the process.
As smoking not only damages the DNA in healthy cells but also leads to a reduction in the oxygen levels in the blood, it becomes difficult for the weakened or damaged bones to heal. Thus, avoiding smoking is considered one of the most effective potential bone cancer prevention factors.
Though there is no sure diet that can guarantee bone cancer prevention, individuals can increase their intake of certain bone cancer prevention foods. These include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, healthy fats, and low-fat dairy products. Some specific bone cancer prevention foods are strawberries, broccoli, oranges, and grapefruit.
Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the DNA of cells and increase the chances of getting bone cancer. Thus, it is advisable to limit the consumption of alcohol to reduce the chances of developing bone cancer.
Regular exercise helps keep bones healthy and maintained, thereby reducing the risk of getting bone cancer. Thus, doctors often recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise as a potential way of bone cancer prevention.
Another effective means of reducing the chances of developing bone cancer is getting checked regularly for any bone infections, trauma, or bone cancer symptoms.
Bone cancer is a rare yet serious type of cancer that can affect all genders and age groups alike. Some of the most common types of bone cancer include osteosarcoma, Ewing Sarcoma, and chondrosarcoma. Since an early diagnosis always helps increase the survival rate of cancer, it is advisable to go for regular checkups in case there is any emergence of symptoms.
