What is Bone Cancer?
Bone cancer is a disease that affects any bone in the body. It’s an extremely uncommon form of cancer with the potential to destroy bone tissues. When struck with this disease, patients have to suffer due to the formation of malignant tumors in any of the bone.
Medical science has yet to specify a clearly defined cause for the bone cancer. However, some factors are known to increase the risks of the disease, including abnormality of DNA or hereditary factor.
Treatments are available for bone cancer and they largely depend on the stage of the disease, apart from the size and type of the tumour. Age is another factor considered in the treatment of bone cancer.
What are the types of Bone Cancer?
Primary and metastatic are two types of bone cancers where the former originates in the bone tissue itself while the latter transmits to the bones from different parts of the body. Let’s have a look at primary bone cancer types:-
Osteosarcoma – Originates in the osteoid tissue of the bone
Chondrosarcoma – Starts in the cartilaginous tissue
Ewing's Family of Tumors (EFTs) – besides the bone, it may also start from blood vessels or supporting tissues
Sign and symptoms of Bone Cancer
There are some symptoms that accompany the bone cancer. These symptoms may not be conclusive in nature nonetheless they are present when the disease strikes. Let’s look at those symptoms:-
• Persistent pain in the bone • A soft lump on the bone • Persistent swelling in the bone • Softness of the bone • Some arcane fractures of the bone
Treatment of Bone Cancer
The treatment of bone cancer varies in patients as many factors are taken into consideration. The treatment would depend on the stage of the cancer. More so, apart from the location, type and size of the cancer, the health of the patient is also considered.
Surgery is the first obvious treatment for bone cancer. More so, the possibility of a limb amputation is not ruled out in some specific cases. Doctors recommend chemotherapy and radiation either in combination or separately