Bone Cancer occurs when bone cells grow abnormally and become cancerous. It is classified into two types:
- Primary bone cancer: Originates from bone tissue itself. Rare and often found in older children and young adults. It is curable if detected early.
- Secondary bone cancer: Cancer that spreads from other organs such as breast, prostate, thyroid, lung, or kidney. More common than primary bone cancer and often occurs in advanced-stage cancer patients.
What Are the Risk Factors for Bone Cancer?
The exact cause of bone cancer is unknown, but risk factors may include:
- Genetic or hereditary disorders
- Certain bone diseases
- Previous radiation therapy
- Exposure to chemicals such as pesticides
What Are the Symptoms of Bone Cancer?
- Severe bone pain, especially at night
- Swelling or lumps in bones, often hard to the touch
- Fragile bones that fracture easily
- Fever, fatigue, appetite loss, weight loss
How Is Bone Cancer Diagnosed?
- Bone X-ray: reveals bone destruction. Chest X-ray may check for lung metastasis
- Bone scan: to evaluate cancer spread
- MRI or CT scan: assesses tumor size and extent for surgical planning
- PET scan: detects metastasis throughout the body
- Biopsy: identifies cancer cell type and determines disease stage
How Is Bone Cancer Treated?
Treatment depends on the cancer type and stage. The goal for primary bone cancer is cure, while treatment for secondary bone cancer focuses on improving quality of life. Treatment options include:
- Surgery: Remove as much tumor as possible. In some cases, limb-sparing surgery using prosthetics is possible instead of amputation.
- Chemotherapy: Shrinks the tumor before surgery or eliminates remaining cells post-op. It improves survival in certain bone cancers.
- Radiation therapy: Slows cancer growth and relieves pain. Used before surgery to shrink tumors, after surgery to eliminate remaining cells, or when surgery isn’t an option.
- Targeted therapy: Drugs that directly affect cancer-related genes. Under active research and expected to play a greater role in the future.
Bone cancer is rare but can progress rapidly. If you notice symptoms, seek medical advice promptly. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can lead to full recovery.
