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Bone Cancer

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What Is Cancer Of The Bones?

Bone cancer is a rare but dangerous disease that makes cells grow in an unusual way in bone tissue. Primary bone cancers start in the bone, not in other parts of the body. These cancers can make bones weaker, cause pain that won’t go away, and eventually spread to other parts of the body.

Some people think that bone pain is just an injury or arthritis, but the signs of bone cancer often last or get worse over time. Some of these are deep, throbbing pain (especially at night), swelling near the bone, and even broken bones with little trauma.

Knowing the bone cancer causes can help doctors find it and treat it early. This disease isn’t very common, but if you don’t get it treated, it can have a big effect on your health and ability to move. It’s very important to spot problems early on to keep bones and overall health in good shape.

Different Types Of Bone Cancer 

The most common type of primary bone cancer is bone sarcomas. You should know about the three main types:

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer, and it mostly affects teens and young adults. It usually affects the upper arm or the femur near the knee.

Kids and teens are more likely to get Ewing’s Sarcoma, which usually happens around the pelvis or long bones. It usually hurts, swells, and has a fever. Sometimes it even breaks bones.

Chondrosarcoma is a type of cancer that grows in cartilage and is more common in people over 40. Not as aggressive, but still needs close monitoring.

The size of the tumour, how far it has spread, and whether it has spread to lymph nodes or other organs all help doctors figure out the bone cancer stage. By determining what stage a patient is in, doctors can figure out the best way to treat them.

Also Read : Understanding the Stages of Cancer and What They Mean for Treatment

What Causes Bone Cancer?

It’s hard to say what causes bone cancer, but research has found a few things that make it more likely:
  1. Genetic factors: Certain inherited mutations can increase the risk of developing cancer, particularly in rare familial cancer syndromes.
  2. Previous radiation exposure: Radiation therapy to bones (often during childhood cancer treatment) may increase risk later in life Wikipedia Lippincott Journals.
  3. Underlying bone conditions: Individuals with uncommon diseases such as Paget’s disease may have an elevated risk of developing bone sarcomas.
But most of the time, the reasons for bone cancer are still not clear. This is why it’s so important to know what to look for. Knowing these causes can help people stay alert and get the screenings that are suggested.

Signs and Symptoms of Bone Cancer

It helps to connect symptoms to possible causes to get a better picture:

  1. Pain In The Bones:

    This is the most common sign of bone cancer. It usually starts off slowly and gets worse at night or when there is no injury.

    Swelling or lumps, especially around long bones or the pelvis, that may feel warm or sore when you touch them MedlinePlus from Cancer.gov.

  2. Fractures after minor trauma:

    Weak bones can break easily, which could be a sign of Limited movement or limping, especially if there are tumours in the pelvis or legs Some of the symptoms of Ewing’s sarcoma are fever, unexplained weight loss, and feeling sick all the time.

    A lot of these signs might not seem dangerous at first, but connecting bone cancer causes and symptoms to known risk factors can help doctors find the disease early.

 Stages of Bone Cancer

  1. Stage I– Low-grade tumour, limited to the bone
  2. Stage II– High-grade tumour, still confined to the bone
  3. Stage III– High-grade tumour in multiple areas of the same bone
  4. Stage IV– Cancer has spread to other organs (lungs, liver, etc.)

How Often Does Bone Cancer Happen?

Less than 1% of all cancers in the world are primary bone cancers.

The Sun +15 and the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society says that about 3,770 new cases are found in the U.S. each year.

Teenagers (ages 10 to 20) and older adults (over age 60) are the two groups that are most affected by these cancers. They are not very common, but they happen more often in boys than girls in younger age groups.

During these important age ranges, it’s important to know the signs of bone cancer, especially if pain or strange lumps don’t go away.

Also Read : Bone Marrow Transplant Recovery: How Can One Facilitate It?

Causes and Risk Factors

  • Genetic syndromes(e.g., Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Rothmund-Thomson syndrome)
  • Previous radiation therapy
  • Paget’s disease of bone
  • Bone marrow transplant recipients
  • Injury or trauma to bones(may draw attention to an existing tumor)

Most cases are sporadic with no known cause.

When To See A Doctor?

If you have any of these bone cancer symptoms that don’t go away, you should see a doctor right away:

Constant pain in your bones, especially if it gets worse at night or doesn’t get better Pain or swelling over a bone Fractures that happen from minor injuries Limping, not being able to move around much, or seeing changes in the bones’ structure

Doctors can tell the difference between benign and more serious conditions early on with a physical exam and imaging tests like X-rays.

It is especially important for teens and adults who are experiencing new pain and swelling to get checked out right away, as early treatment can greatly improve outcomes.

Tests and Diagnosis

You need to do a number of tests to make sure you know what stage of bone cancer you have:

X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans in Pune are all types of imaging scans that show the tumour and how it has spread in great detail.

A biopsy takes a small piece of tissue to find out what kind of cancer it is. Most of the time, this is an aggressive bone sarcoma, like osteosarcoma or Ewing’s sarcoma. This is needed for diagnosis and staging.

More scans and lab tests for the staging workup Check to see if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, like the lungs. This puts it into stages (I–IV) that help doctors figure out how to treat it.

There are more ways to treat the disease and a better chance of recovery when it is still in its early stages and only affects the bone. That’s why it’s important to know the first signs of bone cancer.

Treatment Options at Onco-Life Cancer Centre

Our expert oncology team creates a multimodal treatment plan based on the type, location, and stage of bone cancer.

  1. Surgery
    • Limb-sparing surgery – Removes tumour without amputating limb
    • Amputation – In select cases where limb cannot be saved
    • Reconstruction with bone grafts or prosthetics after removal
  2. Chemotherapy Therapy
    • Particularly effective for osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma
    • Usually given before and after surgery
  3. Radiation Therapy
    • Mainly used for Ewing sarcoma, spinal tumours, or if surgery isn’t possible
    • Advanced techniques like Tomotherapy ensure precision and fewer side effects
  4. Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy
    • Used in select subtypes or advanced cancers
    • Under clinical trials in some cases
  5. Rehabilitation & Support
    • Physiotherapy after surgery
    • Counselling and support for emotional well-being
    • Custom prosthetics for amputees

Prognosis & Survival

  • Osteosarcoma: 60–80% survival for localized tumours
  • Ewing Sarcoma: 70–75% survival if diagnosed early
  • Chondrosarcoma: Depends on grade; low-grade types have better prognosis
  • Advanced/metastatic disease may need long-term treatment and monitoring

Prevention: Is There A Way To Cut Down On Your Chances Of Getting Bone Cancer?

Bone cancer is rare and often unpredictable, but there are some things you can do to lower your risk:

  • When you don’t have to, stay away from radiation, especially if you’re a kid or getting medical care.

  • If you have a family history of certain diseases, be careful and consider getting genetic counselling when you need it.

  • Exercise regularly, take care of your bones, and follow good health habits in general.

  • If you have bone pain or swelling that doesn’t go away, you should tell your doctor right away.

  • These steps talk about possible bone cancer causes and help keep bones healthy, even though many cases happen without clear risk factors.

Conclusion

Even though bone cancer is rare, knowing about pain, swelling, fractures, or limited motion that doesn’t go away can help you act quickly. The three main types of bone cancer are osteosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, and chondrosarcoma. Each one has its own risks and needs for care. Getting tested and finding out about bone cancer symptoms early could save your life.

If you notice any unusual symptoms or they don’t get better, you should see a doctor right away. Early evaluation often leads to better treatment and better outcomes.

Most Popular Questions

Bone Cancer

1. Is bone cancer common?

Primary bone cancer is rare but serious. Secondary bone cancer (from spread) is more common.

2. Is bone cancer curable?

Yes, especially if detected early and treated promptly. Survival depends on type and stage.

3. What are the early signs of bone cancer?

Persistent pain, swelling, or a lump over a bone/joint. Pain worsening at night is a warning sign.

4. Can bone cancer be mistaken for growing pain or arthritis?

Yes. That’s why unexplained or persistent symptoms in children or adults should be evaluated.

5. What is the most common type of bone cancer in children?

Osteosarcoma, followed by Ewing sarcoma.

6. How is bone cancer diagnosed?

X-ray, MRI, biopsy, and other imaging tests confirm the type and extent.

7. Does bone cancer spread?

Yes, especially to lungs, other bones, or liver in advanced stages.

8. Will I lose my limb?

Limb-sparing surgery is possible in most cases today. Amputation is only done if absolutely necessary.

9. How long is chemotherapy for bone cancer?

Usually 3–6 months. May vary based on response and patient profile.

10. What is limb-sparing surgery?

A surgery that removes the tumor while saving the affected limb, followed by reconstruction.

11. Is bone cancer painful?

Yes, it causes constant pain that worsens with movement or at night.

12. Can bone cancer occur in adults?

Yes. Chondrosarcoma and secondary bone cancer are more common in adults.

13. Are there any lifestyle causes of bone cancer?

Not directly, but previous radiation, smoking, or genetic factors may increase risk.

14. Can bone cancer be prevented?

There’s no definite prevention, but early detection improves outcomes.

15. Can bone cancer return after treatment?

Yes, especially within the first 5 years. Regular follow-up is essential.

16. Will I need physical therapy?

Yes. Physiotherapy is crucial after surgery or limb reconstruction.

17. Is radiation always used?

No. It’s used mainly in Ewing sarcoma or when surgery isn’t possible.

18. What’s the role of Tomotherapy?

Tomotherapy delivers highly targeted radiation with minimal damage to nearby tissues.

19. Can bone cancer cause fractures?

Yes. Weakening of bone may lead to fractures from minimal injury.

20. What support is available post-surgery?

We offer prosthetic fittings, physiotherapy, pain management, and counselling for holistic recovery.