A variety of malignancies can develop in the bones, including bone cancer. Primary bone cancers are tumors that start in the bone. Bones can also become affected by tumors that start in the body's organs or other tissues. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are all forms of treatment.
Just what is bone cancer?
The phrase "bone cancer" refers to a variety of malignancies that manifest themselves in the bones. Normal bone tissue may suffer damage if cancer cells spread into a bone. The type of bone cancer depends on the cell and tissue types where the disease first manifests itself.
Primary bone malignancies are tumors that originate inside the bone itself. Many cancers that start in the body's organs or other tissues can spread to the bones in addition to other body parts. These growths are referred to as metastatic or secondary bone malignancies. Most tumors that metastasis (spread) to the bones are those from the breast, prostate, and lung.
The frequency of bone cancer?
Bone tumors are uncommon. Despite the fact that they can manifest at any age, they are more prevalent in young adults, adolescents, and youngsters than in older persons.
Where typically does bone cancer begin?
The sort of bone cancer you have will determine the answer. Primary bone cancer comes in four different forms:
Osteosarcoma: The most prevalent form of bone cancer, osteosarcoma arises in the cells responsible for the formation of new bone tissue. Although it can develop in any bone, it typically starts at the tips of long bones like the arms and legs. Osteosarcoma is the most prevalent cancer that doctors identify in children and adolescents.
Named after the physician who originally identified this form of bone cancer, Ewing sarcoma encompasses a wide range of tumors that share characteristics and are thought to originate in comparable cellular types. These tumors can develop in the surrounding soft tissues as well as the bones. Ewing sarcoma most frequently develops on long bones, such as the legs, or in the hips, ribs, and shoulder blades.
Chondrosarcoma: Chondrosarcoma starts in cartilage-like tissue. A soft connective tissue called cartilage permits motion between bones and joints. The body adds calcium to certain cartilage, which eventually turns into bone. Usually, this malignancy develops in the arm, leg, or pelvic bones. Chondrosarcoma is more common in adults than in children, unlike osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma.
Chordoma: This uncommon tumor usually develops near the base of the spine or the base of the skull. Similar to chondrosarcoma, chordoma mostly affects elderly persons. This kind of bone cancer is more likely to affect men than women.
Can a noncancerous bone growth develop into cancer?
Yes, but not frequently. Even so, those who have benign bone tumors can still require treatment to lower their chance of developing additional problems like weak bones, joint troubles, and the deterioration of healthy bone tissue.
What should I know about the stage of bone cancer?
The tumor's size, location, and the extent of the cancer's spread determine the stage of the disease. There are four phases of primary bone cancer:
Stage 1: The cancer cells are still confined and the tumor is of low grade.
Stage 2: The tumor is high-grade but the cancer cells are still confined.
Stage 3: The cancer has advanced to other parts of the same bone and the tumor is of a high grade.
Stage 4: The cancer had progressed from the bone to the lungs or liver, among other organs.
Treatment for bone cancer is based on the disease's nature, whether it has spread, and if so, where. Patients who have bone cancer frequently receive treatment from a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals. Oncologists, radiation oncologists, and orthopedic surgeons are among the medical professionals in this area with a focus on bones and joints and cancer, respectively.
Treatment for bone cancer frequently entails a combination of methods. The kind of bone cancer, the size of the tumor, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body all affect the kind and length of these therapies. The therapies that are most frequently applied include:
Surgery: Your doctor removes the tumor along with some surrounding healthy tissue. Additionally, they can use actual or synthetic bone grafts to restore or repair damaged bones. When treating cancer, an entire limb may need to be amputated. In this situation, a prosthesis (artificial limb) can be employed. If not all of the cancer cells were removed during the initial surgery, a second procedure may be required.
Radiation therapy uses high doses of X-rays to reduce tumor size. To make the tumor smaller before surgery so that less tissue needs to be removed, healthcare professionals frequently employ radiation.
Chemotherapy: This type of therapy uses medication to eradicate cancer cells throughout the body. The most common ways for people to take this medication are by pill or injection into a vein. Chemotherapy can be used by your doctor to treat either primary or metastatic bone cancer.
PREVENTION
Can one prevent bone cancer?
There is presently no recognized strategy to avoid bone cancer because researchers are unsure of what exactly causes it. Additionally, radiation therapy (another recognized cause of bone cancer) cannot be completely avoided because it is required for the treatment of other cancer types. Anyway, experts recommend taking regular care of your health and wearing comfortable and high-quality medical DrLuigi footwear.