Bone cancer is an uncommon cancer that begins in a bone. It can originate in any bone in the body, but the long bones that make up the arms and legs are most commonly affected.
Several types of bone cancer exist. Some types of bone cancer occur primarily in children, while others affect mostly adults.
Primary bone cancer is cancer that starts in the bone. In general, the term “bone cancer” does not include cancers that begin elsewhere in the body and spread (metastasize) to the bone. This is known as secondary bone cancer; it starts in another part of the body and then spreads to the bone. Unlike primary bone cancer, secondary bone cancer is common in cases of advanced cancer.
Bone pain is the most common symptom of primary bone cancer.
Primary bone cancer is a rare type of cancer and the cause of most cases is unknown.
The four most common types of primary bone cancer are:
osteosarcoma
Ewing sarcoma
chondrosarcoma
spindle cell sarcoma
Osteosarcoma: It is the most common type of bone cancer and mostly develops in children and young people who are between 5 to 20 years of age. It is the third most common cancer in young people (after leukemia and brain tumors). It usually develops in the femur or tibia.
Ewing sarcoma: It also usually develops in children and young people who are between 10 to 20 years of age, although 10 percent of cases develop in people who are over 20 years of age. Ewing sarcoma usually develops in the pelvis, thigh bone, or shin bone.
Chondrosarcoma: This uncommon type of bone cancer usually develops in adults who are between 40 to 50 years of age. Chondrosarcoma begins in the cartilage cells before spreading to the bone. The most common sites for chondrosarcoma to develop are in the pelvis, thigh bone, upper arm bone, shoulder blade, and ribs.
Spindle cell sarcoma: This uncommon type of cancer is very similar to osterosarcoma in terms of its symptoms and treatment, except that it affects older adults who are aged 40 or over.
There are some even rarer types of bone cancer:
Chordoma: It is a type of cancer that starts in the base of the spine and usually affects men between 40 to 50 years of age.
Angiosarcomas: It is a type of cancer than can start anywhere in the skeleton (sometimes in multiple sites at once) and usually affects adults who are 20 years of age or over.
Outlook
The most essential factor in determining the likely outlook for cases of bone cancer is whether the cancer has spread from the bone to other parts of the body (metastasis).
The most common places in the body for the cancer to spread to are the lungs. Secondary lung cancer can be challenging to treat. If bone cancer is diagnosed before it spreads out of the bones, the outlook is positive because a cure is often achievable. This type of cancer is known as localized bone cancer.
If the bone cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the outlook is not as favorable because a cure is often not possible. This type of bone cancer is known as metastatic bone cancer.
Bone cancer is usually treated with a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.
What are the signs and symptoms of bone cancer?
A symptom is something the patient feels and reports, while a sign is something other people, such as the doctor notice. For example, pain may be a symptom while a rash may be a sign.
Bone pain is the most common symptom of bone cancer. Usually, it begins with a feeling of tenderness in the affected bone. It then gradually progresses to a persistent ache that often feels worse during the night and when using the affected bone.
Bone pain that is caused by bone cancer is sometimes wrongly mistaken for arthritis in adults and ‘growing pains’ in children and teenagers.
There may also be inflammation and swelling near the affected area. In some cases a noticeable lump on or around the affected bone can be detected. If the bone is near a joint, the swelling may make using the joint difficult.
Less common symptoms of bone cancer include:
high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
sweating
unexplained weight loss
weakened bones, sometimes leading to fractures
fatigue
If a child is experiencing persistent bone pain that lasts for more than three days, seek medical advice. Bone pain is unlikely to be the result of growing pains if it lasts longer than three days.
An adult experiencing persistent bone pain should also seek medical advice. While the majority of cases of bone pain are caused by arthritis, this symptom requires a medical diagnosis. If the condition turns out to be arthritis, early diagnosis is also beneficial.
What are the causes of bone cancer?
The causes of most bone cancers are not clear. It is recognized that bone cancer begins as an error in a cell’s DNA. The error orders the cell to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. These cells go on living, rather than dying at a set time. The accumulating mutated cells form a mass or tumor that can invade nearby structures or spread to other areas of the body.
How does cancer spread?
Most cancers grow and spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system is a series of glands or nodes that are spread throughout the body. The lymph glands produce many of the specialized cells that are needed by the immune system.
In a somewhat unusual way, bone cancer spreads via the lymphatic system and can also spread via the blood. This is why bone cancer often spreads to the lungs as cancerous cells can escape out of the bone into the blood and then travel into the lungs.
What are the risk factors for bone cancer?
A risk factor is something which raises the likelihood of developing a disease or condition. For example, obesity increases the risk of developing diabetes type 2; therefore, obesity is a risk factor for diabetes.
Known risk factors
Bone cancer is a poorly understood condition. A small number of risk factors for the condition have been identified:
Having a previous history of retinoblastoma. It is a rare type of childhood cancer that develops in the eye.
Having a rare genetic condition known as Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
Having Paget’s disease which is an uncommon bone condition that causes weakening of the bones. Around 1 in a 100 people with the condition will develop bone cancer in later life.
Previous exposure to high doses of radiation, such as undergoing radiotherapy; however, the increased risk that is associated with radiotherapy is small.
Inherited genetic syndromes. Certain rare genetic syndromes passed through families increase the risk of bone cancer, including Rothmund-Thomson syndrome and multiple exostoses.
Umbilical hernia. Research has also found that babies who are born with an umbilical hernia are three times more likely to develop Ewing sarcoma than the population at large. An umbilical hernia occurs in 1 to 2 percent of all births. It is believed that as an unborn baby develops, the unknown factors that cause the hernia to develop may also contribute to an increased risk of Ewing sarcoma. However in relative terms, the increased risk is extremely small.
How is bone cancer diagnosed?
Imaging tests
Depending on the situation, one or more imaging tests may be recommended to evaluate the area of concern, including:
Bone scans: It can provide more detailed information about the inside of the bones than an X-ray. A bone scan involves a small amount of radioactive material being injected into the veins. Abnormal areas of bone will absorb the material at a faster rate than normal bone. As a result, any abnormal areas of bone that are affected by cancer will show up as ‘trouble-spots’ on the scan.
Computerized tomography (CT): A CT scan involves taking a series of X-rays, and using a computer to reassemble them into a detailed three-dimensional image of the body. CT scans are often used to check if the cancer has spread to the lungs.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of the inside of the affected bone. It is an effective way of assessing the size and spread of any cancerous tumor inside the bones.
Positron emission tomography (PET): A nuclear medicine imaging technique which produces a three-dimensional image or picture of functional processes in the body.
X-rays: X-rays can often detect damage to the bones that is caused by cancer, or new bone cells that have started to grow around the cancer. X-rays cannot provide a definitive diagnosis of bone cancer, but they can indicate whether further investigation is needed.
Removing a sample of tissue for laboratory testing
A biopsy may be recommended. It is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue from the tumor for laboratory testing. It determines whether the tissue is cancerous and, if so, what is the type of cancer. Testing may also reveal the cancer’s grade. This helps doctors understand how aggressive the cancer may be.
Types of biopsy procedures used to diagnose bone cancer include:
Inserting a needle through the skin and into a tumor. The needle is used to remove small pieces of tissue from the tumor.
Surgery to remove a tissue sample for testing. During a surgical biopsy, an incision is made through the skin to remove either the entire tumor (excisional biopsy) or a portion of the tumor (incisional biopsy).
Tests to determine the stage of the bone cancer
Once bone cancer has been diagnosed, the extent or stage of the cancer will be determined. The cancer’s stage guides for treatment options.
Stages of bone cancer include:
Stage I. Bone cancer is limited to the bone and has not spread to other areas of the body. After biopsy testing, cancer at this stage is considered low grade and is not considered aggressive.
Stage II. Bone cancer is limited to the bone and has not spread to other areas of the body. But biopsy testing reveals the bone cancer is high grade and is considered aggressive.
Stage III. Bone cancer occurs in two or more places on the same bone.
Stage IV. This stage of bone cancer indicates that cancer has spread beyond the bone to other areas of the body, such as the brain, liver or lungs.
What is the treatment for bone cancer?
Patients diagnosed with bone cancer are usually referred to a specialist center with experience in treating bone cancer. These centers have teams of specialist health professionals who work together to treat bone cancer. These types of teams are known as multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs). A patient might have to see several or all of these healthcare professionals, as part of the treatment.
Deciding what treatment is best can be difficult. The cancer team will make recommendations, but the final decision will be the patient´s.
Treatment plan
The treatment options for bone cancer are based on the type of cancer, the stage of the cancer, the patient´s overall health and preferences. Bone cancer treatment typically involves surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of treatments.
Surgery
The goal of surgery is to remove the entire bone cancer. The tumor and a small portion of healthy tissue that surrounds it are removed. Types of surgery used to treat bone cancer include:
Surgery to remove a limb. Bone cancers that are large or located in a complicated point on the bone may require surgery to remove all or part of a limb (amputation). This procedure is becoming less common, as other treatments have been developed. Fitting for an artificial limb will be recommended after surgery, as well as training to learn to do everyday tasks. Artificial limbs are now very advanced and convenient to use. For example, people with an artificial leg are able to walk, run, and play sport. In many cases, an artificial limb allows a wider range of movement than a limb that is repaired with limb sparing surgery.
Surgery to remove the cancer sparing the limb. When bone cancer can be separated from nerves and other tissue, the surgeon may be able to remove the bone cancer and spare the limb. Since some of the bone is removed with the cancer, the surgeon replaces the lost bone with some bone from another area of the body or with a special metal prosthesis. Intense rehabilitative therapy may be necessary after surgery. Artificial joints can be used to replace a knee joint, a hip joint, and a shoulder joint. The most common complication of limb sparing surgery is a post-operative infection, which occurs in 1 out of every 10 cases. Any infection can make the prosthesis or artificial joint unstable. If this occurs, further surgery may be required to repair it.
Surgery for cancer not affecting the limbs. If bone cancer occurs in bones other than those of the arms and legs, surgeons may remove the bone and some surrounding tissue (for instance cancer that affects the rib). The cancer may be removed while preserving as much of the bone as possible (for example in cancer that affects the spine). Bone removed during surgery can be replaced with a piece of bone from another area of the body or with a special metal prosthesis.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-powered beams of energy, such as X-rays, to kill cancer cells. During radiation therapy, a special machine moves around the patient and aims the energy beams at precise points on the body.
Radiotherapy is usually given five days a week, with a break from treatment over the weekend. Each session of radiotherapy usually lasts around 10 to15 minutes. Most people require between 2 to 5 weeks of treatment.
Radiation therapy may be used to shrink a bone cancer so that a surgeon is able to remove the entire cancer with surgery. In this situation, radiation therapy may be combined with chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy may also be used in people with bone cancer that cannot be removed with surgery. It may also be used after surgery to kill any cancer cells that may be left behind. For people with advanced bone cancer, radiation therapy may help control signs and symptoms, such as pain.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is most often given intravenously. The chemotherapy medications travel throughout the body.
Chemotherapy is often used before surgery, usually in combination with radiation therapy, to shrink a bone cancer to a more manageable size that allows the surgeon to use a limb-sparing surgery. Chemotherapy may also be used in people with bone cancer that has spread beyond the bone to other areas of the body. It can also be used to control symptoms in cases where a cure is not possible. This is known as palliative chemotherapy.
What are the complications of bone cancer?
Phantom limb pain
In some cases, people who have an amputation find that they experience a sensation that their limb is still attached to their body and is causing them pain. This is known as phantom limb pain. The causes for this pain are unknown. It is thought that the pain may be the result of nerve endings sending abnormal nerve impulses that the brain interprets as pain.
There are a number of treatments available to treat this condition. For example:
antidepressant medications
anti-epileptic medications
hypnosis
painkillers
Originally designed to treat epilepsy and depression, anti-epileptic and antidepressant medications have since proved to be effective in treating certain types of nerve pain.
Support
A diagnosis of cancer presents a big challenge. However, there are resources and strategies that may make dealing with cancer easier. Here are some suggestions for coping:
Make educated decisions about your treatment. Find out more about bone cancer so that making decisions about the treatment is easier. Get all the information.
Connect with other people in the same situation. The concern and understanding of a formal support group or of others coping with their own cancer or that of their child can be helpful. Support groups can be good sources for practical information.
Taking time. Eating well, relaxing and getting enough rest can help combat the stress and fatigue of cancer. Plan ahead for the times when there is need for more rest. If a child has cancer, it is essential that the caregiver or parent takes care of themselves. A caregiver needs to have the strength and emotional reserves to meet the child’s needs.
Staying active. Having cancer does not mean stopping doing normal things. It is important to stay involved. If a child has cancer, try to keep his or her life as normal as possible.
Look for a connection to something beyond oneself. Having a strong faith or a sense of something greater than oneself may help to successfully cope with cancer.
Written by Stephanie Brunner (B.A.)
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Bone cancer is an uncommon cancer that begins in a bone. It can originate in any bone in the body, but the long bones that make up the arms and legs are most commonly affected.
Several types of bone cancer exist. Some types of bone cancer occur primarily in children, while others affect mostly adults.
Primary bone cancer is cancer that starts in the bone. In general, the term “bone cancer” does not include cancers that begin elsewhere in the body and spread (metastasize) to the bone. This is known as secondary bone cancer; it starts in another part of the body and then spreads to the bone. Unlike primary bone cancer, secondary bone cancer is common in cases of advanced cancer.
Bone pain is the most common symptom of primary bone cancer.
Primary bone cancer is a rare type of cancer and the cause of most cases is unknown.
The four most common types of primary bone cancer are:
osteosarcoma
Ewing sarcoma
chondrosarcoma
spindle cell sarcoma
Osteosarcoma: It is the most common type of bone cancer and mostly develops in children and young people who are between 5 to 20 years of age. It is the third most common cancer in young people (after leukemia and brain tumors). It usually develops in the femur or tibia.
Ewing sarcoma: It also usually develops in children and young people who are between 10 to 20 years of age, although 10 percent of cases develop in people who are over 20 years of age. Ewing sarcoma usually develops in the pelvis, thigh bone, or shin bone.
Chondrosarcoma: This uncommon type of bone cancer usually develops in adults who are between 40 to 50 years of age. Chondrosarcoma begins in the cartilage cells before spreading to the bone. The most common sites for chondrosarcoma to develop are in the pelvis, thigh bone, upper arm bone, shoulder blade, and ribs.
Spindle cell sarcoma: This uncommon type of cancer is very similar to osterosarcoma in terms of its symptoms and treatment, except that it affects older adults who are aged 40 or over.
There are some even rarer types of bone cancer:
Chordoma: It is a type of cancer that starts in the base of the spine and usually affects men between 40 to 50 years of age.
Angiosarcomas: It is a type of cancer than can start anywhere in the skeleton (sometimes in multiple sites at once) and usually affects adults who are 20 years of age or over.
Outlook
The most essential factor in determining the likely outlook for cases of bone cancer is whether the cancer has spread from the bone to other parts of the body (metastasis).
The most common places in the body for the cancer to spread to are the lungs. Secondary lung cancer can be challenging to treat. If bone cancer is diagnosed before it spreads out of the bones, the outlook is positive because a cure is often achievable. This type of cancer is known as localized bone cancer.
If the bone cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the outlook is not as favorable because a cure is often not possible. This type of bone cancer is known as metastatic bone cancer.
Bone cancer is usually treated with a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.
What are the signs and symptoms of bone cancer?
A symptom is something the patient feels and reports, while a sign is something other people, such as the doctor notice. For example, pain may be a symptom while a rash may be a sign.
Bone pain is the most common symptom of bone cancer. Usually, it begins with a feeling of tenderness in the affected bone. It then gradually progresses to a persistent ache that often feels worse during the night and when using the affected bone.
Bone pain that is caused by bone cancer is sometimes wrongly mistaken for arthritis in adults and ‘growing pains’ in children and teenagers.
There may also be inflammation and swelling near the affected area. In some cases a noticeable lump on or around the affected bone can be detected. If the bone is near a joint, the swelling may make using the joint difficult.
Less common symptoms of bone cancer include:
high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
sweating
unexplained weight loss
weakened bones, sometimes leading to fractures
fatigue
If a child is experiencing persistent bone pain that lasts for more than three days, seek medical advice. Bone pain is unlikely to be the result of growing pains if it lasts longer than three days.
An adult experiencing persistent bone pain should also seek medical advice. While the majority of cases of bone pain are caused by arthritis, this symptom requires a medical diagnosis. If the condition turns out to be arthritis, early diagnosis is also beneficial.
What are the causes of bone cancer?
The causes of most bone cancers are not clear. It is recognized that bone cancer begins as an error in a cell’s DNA. The error orders the cell to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. These cells go on living, rather than dying at a set time. The accumulating mutated cells form a mass or tumor that can invade nearby structures or spread to other areas of the body.
How does cancer spread?
Most cancers grow and spread to other parts of the body via the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system is a series of glands or nodes that are spread throughout the body. The lymph glands produce many of the specialized cells that are needed by the immune system.
In a somewhat unusual way, bone cancer spreads via the lymphatic system and can also spread via the blood. This is why bone cancer often spreads to the lungs as cancerous cells can escape out of the bone into the blood and then travel into the lungs.
What are the risk factors for bone cancer?
A risk factor is something which raises the likelihood of developing a disease or condition. For example, obesity increases the risk of developing diabetes type 2; therefore, obesity is a risk factor for diabetes.
Known risk factors
Bone cancer is a poorly understood condition. A small number of risk factors for the condition have been identified:
Having a previous history of retinoblastoma. It is a rare type of childhood cancer that develops in the eye.
Having a rare genetic condition known as Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
Having Paget’s disease which is an uncommon bone condition that causes weakening of the bones. Around 1 in a 100 people with the condition will develop bone cancer in later life.
Previous exposure to high doses of radiation, such as undergoing radiotherapy; however, the increased risk that is associated with radiotherapy is small.
Inherited genetic syndromes. Certain rare genetic syndromes passed through families increase the risk of bone cancer, including Rothmund-Thomson syndrome and multiple exostoses.
Umbilical hernia. Research has also found that babies who are born with an umbilical hernia are three times more likely to develop Ewing sarcoma than the population at large. An umbilical hernia occurs in 1 to 2 percent of all births. It is believed that as an unborn baby develops, the unknown factors that cause the hernia to develop may also contribute to an increased risk of Ewing sarcoma. However in relative terms, the increased risk is extremely small.
How is bone cancer diagnosed?
Imaging tests
Depending on the situation, one or more imaging tests may be recommended to evaluate the area of concern, including:
Bone scans: It can provide more detailed information about the inside of the bones than an X-ray. A bone scan involves a small amount of radioactive material being injected into the veins. Abnormal areas of bone will absorb the material at a faster rate than normal bone. As a result, any abnormal areas of bone that are affected by cancer will show up as ‘trouble-spots’ on the scan.
Computerized tomography (CT): A CT scan involves taking a series of X-rays, and using a computer to reassemble them into a detailed three-dimensional image of the body. CT scans are often used to check if the cancer has spread to the lungs.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of the inside of the affected bone. It is an effective way of assessing the size and spread of any cancerous tumor inside the bones.
Positron emission tomography (PET): A nuclear medicine imaging technique which produces a three-dimensional image or picture of functional processes in the body.
X-rays: X-rays can often detect damage to the bones that is caused by cancer, or new bone cells that have started to grow around the cancer. X-rays cannot provide a definitive diagnosis of bone cancer, but they can indicate whether further investigation is needed.
Removing a sample of tissue for laboratory testing
A biopsy may be recommended. It is a procedure to remove a sample of tissue from the tumor for laboratory testing. It determines whether the tissue is cancerous and, if so, what is the type of cancer. Testing may also reveal the cancer’s grade. This helps doctors understand how aggressive the cancer may be.
Types of biopsy procedures used to diagnose bone cancer include:
Inserting a needle through the skin and into a tumor. The needle is used to remove small pieces of tissue from the tumor.
Surgery to remove a tissue sample for testing. During a surgical biopsy, an incision is made through the skin to remove either the entire tumor (excisional biopsy) or a portion of the tumor (incisional biopsy).
Tests to determine the stage of the bone cancer
Once bone cancer has been diagnosed, the extent or stage of the cancer will be determined. The cancer’s stage guides for treatment options.
Stages of bone cancer include:
Stage I. Bone cancer is limited to the bone and has not spread to other areas of the body. After biopsy testing, cancer at this stage is considered low grade and is not considered aggressive.
Stage II. Bone cancer is limited to the bone and has not spread to other areas of the body. But biopsy testing reveals the bone cancer is high grade and is considered aggressive.
Stage III. Bone cancer occurs in two or more places on the same bone.
Stage IV. This stage of bone cancer indicates that cancer has spread beyond the bone to other areas of the body, such as the brain, liver or lungs.
What is the treatment for bone cancer?
Patients diagnosed with bone cancer are usually referred to a specialist center with experience in treating bone cancer. These centers have teams of specialist health professionals who work together to treat bone cancer. These types of teams are known as multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs). A patient might have to see several or all of these healthcare professionals, as part of the treatment.
Deciding what treatment is best can be difficult. The cancer team will make recommendations, but the final decision will be the patient´s.
Treatment plan
The treatment options for bone cancer are based on the type of cancer, the stage of the cancer, the patient´s overall health and preferences. Bone cancer treatment typically involves surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of treatments.
Surgery
The goal of surgery is to remove the entire bone cancer. The tumor and a small portion of healthy tissue that surrounds it are removed. Types of surgery used to treat bone cancer include:
Surgery to remove a limb. Bone cancers that are large or located in a complicated point on the bone may require surgery to remove all or part of a limb (amputation). This procedure is becoming less common, as other treatments have been developed. Fitting for an artificial limb will be recommended after surgery, as well as training to learn to do everyday tasks. Artificial limbs are now very advanced and convenient to use. For example, people with an artificial leg are able to walk, run, and play sport. In many cases, an artificial limb allows a wider range of movement than a limb that is repaired with limb sparing surgery.
Surgery to remove the cancer sparing the limb. When bone cancer can be separated from nerves and other tissue, the surgeon may be able to remove the bone cancer and spare the limb. Since some of the bone is removed with the cancer, the surgeon replaces the lost bone with some bone from another area of the body or with a special metal prosthesis. Intense rehabilitative therapy may be necessary after surgery. Artificial joints can be used to replace a knee joint, a hip joint, and a shoulder joint. The most common complication of limb sparing surgery is a post-operative infection, which occurs in 1 out of every 10 cases. Any infection can make the prosthesis or artificial joint unstable. If this occurs, further surgery may be required to repair it.
Surgery for cancer not affecting the limbs. If bone cancer occurs in bones other than those of the arms and legs, surgeons may remove the bone and some surrounding tissue (for instance cancer that affects the rib). The cancer may be removed while preserving as much of the bone as possible (for example in cancer that affects the spine). Bone removed during surgery can be replaced with a piece of bone from another area of the body or with a special metal prosthesis.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-powered beams of energy, such as X-rays, to kill cancer cells. During radiation therapy, a special machine moves around the patient and aims the energy beams at precise points on the body.
Radiotherapy is usually given five days a week, with a break from treatment over the weekend. Each session of radiotherapy usually lasts around 10 to15 minutes. Most people require between 2 to 5 weeks of treatment.
Radiation therapy may be used to shrink a bone cancer so that a surgeon is able to remove the entire cancer with surgery. In this situation, radiation therapy may be combined with chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy may also be used in people with bone cancer that cannot be removed with surgery. It may also be used after surgery to kill any cancer cells that may be left behind. For people with advanced bone cancer, radiation therapy may help control signs and symptoms, such as pain.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is most often given intravenously. The chemotherapy medications travel throughout the body.
Chemotherapy is often used before surgery, usually in combination with radiation therapy, to shrink a bone cancer to a more manageable size that allows the surgeon to use a limb-sparing surgery. Chemotherapy may also be used in people with bone cancer that has spread beyond the bone to other areas of the body. It can also be used to control symptoms in cases where a cure is not possible. This is known as palliative chemotherapy.
What are the complications of bone cancer?
Phantom limb pain
In some cases, people who have an amputation find that they experience a sensation that their limb is still attached to their body and is causing them pain. This is known as phantom limb pain. The causes for this pain are unknown. It is thought that the pain may be the result of nerve endings sending abnormal nerve impulses that the brain interprets as pain.
There are a number of treatments available to treat this condition. For example:
antidepressant medications
anti-epileptic medications
hypnosis
painkillers
Originally designed to treat epilepsy and depression, anti-epileptic and antidepressant medications have since proved to be effective in treating certain types of nerve pain.
Support
A diagnosis of cancer presents a big challenge. However, there are resources and strategies that may make dealing with cancer easier. Here are some suggestions for coping:
Make educated decisions about your treatment. Find out more about bone cancer so that making decisions about the treatment is easier. Get all the information.
Connect with other people in the same situation. The concern and understanding of a formal support group or of others coping with their own cancer or that of their child can be helpful. Support groups can be good sources for practical information.
Taking time. Eating well, relaxing and getting enough rest can help combat the stress and fatigue of cancer. Plan ahead for the times when there is need for more rest. If a child has cancer, it is essential that the caregiver or parent takes care of themselves. A caregiver needs to have the strength and emotional reserves to meet the child’s needs.
Staying active. Having cancer does not mean stopping doing normal things. It is important to stay involved. If a child has cancer, try to keep his or her life as normal as possible.
Look for a connection to something beyond oneself. Having a strong faith or a sense of something greater than oneself may help to successfully cope with cancer.
Written by Stephanie Brunner (B.A.)
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
16 defa okundu
Tags:
(Sarcoma)?,
Arms And Legs,
Bone,
Bone Chondrosarcoma,
Brain Tumors,
Cancer,
Cancer Bone Pain,
Cancer Sarcoma,
Cartilage Cells,
Causes,
Ewing Sarcoma,
iş,
Older Adults,
Osteosarcoma,
Sarcoma Cancer,
Secondary Bone Cancer,
Shin Bone,
Shoulder Blade,
Spindle Cell Sarcoma,
Thigh Bone,
Type Of Cancer,
Types Of Bone Cancer,
Uncommon Cancer,
Uncommon Type,
Upper Arm Bone,
What
Yorumlar
Henüz yorum yapılmamış.
Yorum Yazın