BONE CANCER
Bone Cancer Symptoms and Treatment
By: Alin Thoms
Total Views: 63, Word Count: 745, View PDF
Bone cancer can be well described as the cancer of the bone! It is a general term used when the cancer cells are detected in the bone. It refers to the abnormal growth of the cells and tissue in the bone that destroys the functioning of the normal bone tissues. This process results in the weakening of the bone tissue while making them increasingly at risk for fractures. Moreover, the life span of the individual also gets affected due to bone cancer.
Bone cancer results from the spread of cancer from other parts of body organs. Mainly, three types of bone cancers are recognized, Osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing’s sarcoma. These cancers occur at the different stages of life and are associated with the pain in the affected bones.
Children and young people are more likely to get affected with the bone cancer as compared to old people. Primary bone cancer is known as sarcomas. In UK near about 500 people get triggered off due to bone cancer every year. Secondary bone cancer happens when the cancer from other organs spreads to the bones; this cancer is very common and is known as metastasis. Bone cancer may occur due to other cancers like breast or prostate cancer.
Symptoms of Bone Cancer
The symptoms of bone cancer vary according to the condition i.e. where it is developed (location) and how severe it is (size). Different types of bone cancer tend to develop in different parts of the body. Bone pain is one of the most common symptoms of bone cancer. At the beginning of the bone cancer, pain will not remain constant and might be felt only during the night or when the bone is used. As the cancer develops into an advanced stage, the pain becomes more constant and grows when the affected bone is constantly used.
The other common signs and symptoms of the bone cancer are:
1. Fever and fatigue
2. Bone lumps and masses
3. Bone tenderness
4. Weight loss
5. Movement problems
6. Stiff bones
7. Anemia
However, these symptoms can be caused due to other medical conditions too. So, one must consult doctor for a correct diagnosis of the cancer. Many different types of tests such as X-ray, MRI scan, Bone scan, and biopsy are done to diagnose bone cancer.
Treatments for Bone Cancer
There are numerous options available for the treatment of bone cancer. Treatment are usually dependent on the severity of the condition, location of the bone cancer, age of the affected individual, stage of the bone cancer and general health status of the affected individual.
The treatment option of the bone cancer can be classified into two groups - surgical treatment and non- surgical treatment.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is the most common treatment used for bone cancer. The type of surgery depends on severity of the cancer or how far it has been spread. This procedure involves removal of cancerous tissues along with a rim of a healthy bone tissue around the cancerous tissues.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves the usage of medicines to destroy the cancer cells. It has certain drawbacks such as - it can make you feel tired or ill, nausea or hair loss. For the treatment of Ewingsarcom bone cancer, chemotherapy is a good option. However, at the same time, it can also treat the other bone cancers like osteosarcoma. There are several different types of chemotherapy drugs, which are usually injected into a vein, but in some cases, tablets are also used.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses radiation to kill the cancer cells. A beam of radiation is targeted over the cancerous cells, which shrinks the tumor. More over, it can be used before the surgery to make it easier to remove the tumor or may be after the surgery in order to prevent it from coming again.
Ultimately, the above symptoms may relate to other diseases as well, so one should get it checked with their doctor at an early stage to always be on safe side. The treatment can aid to eradicate the bone cancer, but it is important for one to take necessary steps towards their wellbeing.
By: Alin Thoms
Total Views: 63, Word Count: 745, View PDF
Bone cancer can be well described as the cancer of the bone! It is a general term used when the cancer cells are detected in the bone. It refers to the abnormal growth of the cells and tissue in the bone that destroys the functioning of the normal bone tissues. This process results in the weakening of the bone tissue while making them increasingly at risk for fractures. Moreover, the life span of the individual also gets affected due to bone cancer.
Bone cancer results from the spread of cancer from other parts of body organs. Mainly, three types of bone cancers are recognized, Osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing’s sarcoma. These cancers occur at the different stages of life and are associated with the pain in the affected bones.
Children and young people are more likely to get affected with the bone cancer as compared to old people. Primary bone cancer is known as sarcomas. In UK near about 500 people get triggered off due to bone cancer every year. Secondary bone cancer happens when the cancer from other organs spreads to the bones; this cancer is very common and is known as metastasis. Bone cancer may occur due to other cancers like breast or prostate cancer.
Symptoms of Bone Cancer
The symptoms of bone cancer vary according to the condition i.e. where it is developed (location) and how severe it is (size). Different types of bone cancer tend to develop in different parts of the body. Bone pain is one of the most common symptoms of bone cancer. At the beginning of the bone cancer, pain will not remain constant and might be felt only during the night or when the bone is used. As the cancer develops into an advanced stage, the pain becomes more constant and grows when the affected bone is constantly used.
The other common signs and symptoms of the bone cancer are:
1. Fever and fatigue
2. Bone lumps and masses
3. Bone tenderness
4. Weight loss
5. Movement problems
6. Stiff bones
7. Anemia
However, these symptoms can be caused due to other medical conditions too. So, one must consult doctor for a correct diagnosis of the cancer. Many different types of tests such as X-ray, MRI scan, Bone scan, and biopsy are done to diagnose bone cancer.
Treatments for Bone Cancer
There are numerous options available for the treatment of bone cancer. Treatment are usually dependent on the severity of the condition, location of the bone cancer, age of the affected individual, stage of the bone cancer and general health status of the affected individual.
The treatment option of the bone cancer can be classified into two groups - surgical treatment and non- surgical treatment.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is the most common treatment used for bone cancer. The type of surgery depends on severity of the cancer or how far it has been spread. This procedure involves removal of cancerous tissues along with a rim of a healthy bone tissue around the cancerous tissues.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves the usage of medicines to destroy the cancer cells. It has certain drawbacks such as - it can make you feel tired or ill, nausea or hair loss. For the treatment of Ewingsarcom bone cancer, chemotherapy is a good option. However, at the same time, it can also treat the other bone cancers like osteosarcoma. There are several different types of chemotherapy drugs, which are usually injected into a vein, but in some cases, tablets are also used.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses radiation to kill the cancer cells. A beam of radiation is targeted over the cancerous cells, which shrinks the tumor. More over, it can be used before the surgery to make it easier to remove the tumor or may be after the surgery in order to prevent it from coming again.
Ultimately, the above symptoms may relate to other diseases as well, so one should get it checked with their doctor at an early stage to always be on safe side. The treatment can aid to eradicate the bone cancer, but it is important for one to take necessary steps towards their wellbeing.
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