Picture: Collected
Dr. Md. Syracuse Saleh
When abnormal cells grow in the bone, destroying normal bone cells, it is bone cancer. It can be in the bone or spread to the bone from other parts of the body.
Primary bone cancer
is a cancerous tumor. Experts are not sure why this happens or whether genes play a role.
An example is osteosarcoma. Usually occurring in teenagers, Ewing’s sarcoma occurs between the ages of 5 and 20 and chondrosarcoma between the ages of 40 and 70.
Secondary bone cancer
In this case, the cancer usually starts from another part of the body and affects the bones later. It is also called metastatic cancer. Usually, secondary bone cancer can occur from breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer.
Factors that increase risk
Cancer treatment: Radiation, stem cell transplants, or certain chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer in other organs can cause bone cancer.
- Genetics or hereditary factors
- Paget’s disease of bone
Symptoms of bone cancer
- Swelling of the affected area
- Pain in the affected area, which increases with walking or activity
- fever
- weight loss
- cough
Keep in mind that bone cancer may be accidentally detected during X-rays for other problems.
Investigations
require patient history, physical examination, imaging i.e. X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan, abdominal scan, bone scan. Some laboratory tests should be done along with it. Such as alpha phytoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen. However, a biopsy is required to definitively diagnose bone cancer.
treatment
- In cases of benign tumors: routine monitoring.
- Organ preservation operation in case of malignant tumor: Here the cancerous part is removed and an artificial metallic implant is placed.
- Amputation: If a tumor grows large or reaches nerves and blood vessels, the entire limb is surgically removed.
- Radiation therapy.
- chemotherapy.
Bone cancer and its treatment outcomes depend on the type of cancer and its stage. Bone cancer can be cured with proper treatment at the right time.
Suggested by: Associate Professor, Orthopedic Oncology and Musculoskeletal Tumors National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedic Rehabilitation