Treatment for bone cancer can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of the various therapies, in order to remove the tumor and destroy cancer cells, if possible, and is usually carried out at the National Cancer Institute closest to where you are. the person lives.
Bone cancer can be cured, but it needs to be diagnosed early, to prevent it from spreading to multiple bones. Some symptoms that may indicate its presence are pain in the bones of the spine, ribs and legs, as well as swelling in the legs and hands, difficulty in moving or frequent fractures, for example.
Learn about other causes of bone pain at: Causes and Treatments for Bone Pain.
How to treat bone cancer
The treatment of bone cancer depends on the type of tumor, size and location, and the main types of malignant tumors of bone origin are chondrosarcomas, osteosarcomas and Ewing's tumor. Thus:
- Chondrosarcoma treatment: affects cartilage and the most suitable treatment is surgery to remove the tumor, as in the vast majority of cases chemotherapy and radiotherapy do not have the desired effect; Treatment of Osteosarcoma: osteosarcoma is usually treated with chemotherapy for 3 months before having surgery to remove the tumor; Treatment of Ewing's Tumor: the treatment is complex and includes the combination of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery.
Another possibility is to use drugs based on monoclonal antibodies such as Herceptin and Zometa.
The goal of treatments is to destroy cancer cells and remove the tumor, without having to amputate the affected limb, in some cases it is possible to place a metal implant or use a donor's bone to maintain the functionality of the limb and perform the activities of the donor. day-to-day.
Food is very important to facilitate the work of the immune system and beat cancer. The most suitable foods are rich in vitamins and minerals, it is important to restrict the consumption of foods rich in fat and sugar to help in the disinflamation of the body. See the most suitable foods to fight cancer.
See too:
What is the origin of bone cancer
Bone cancer can be primary, when it primarily affects some bone, or secondary, when it derives from metastases from another part of the body, such as breast, prostate, thyroid, lung or kidney cancer, for example.
Cancer can develop in any bone, however, it mainly affects the longest bones, such as those of the arms and legs, spine or hip vertebrae.
In order to diagnose the malignant tumor, it is necessary to do imaging exams such as x-ray and magnetic resonance, in addition to a biopsy to identify the type of tumor and its location, to adapt the treatment.
