Bone cancer is a tumor that originates from abnormal cells produced in bone tissue or can develop from cancer cells in other organs, such as the breast, lung and prostate, which characterizes metastasis. There are several types of bone cancer, but the symptoms tend to be very similar, and there may be pain and swelling in the joints and frequent and easy to happen fractures, which are known as pathological fractures.
The diagnosis is made by an orthopedist or oncologist through tests such as X-rays, magnetic resonance, computed tomography, pet scan and bone biopsy. Treatment for bone cancer can be done with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery, depending on the size, type and location of the tumor in the bone.
Main symptoms
The most common symptoms of bone cancer include:
- Bone pain: usually the pain is not constant at first, but it can be very intense at night or when the legs are moved, as when walking; Swelling of the joints: a lump may appear in the joints, increasing pain and discomfort, especially in the knees and elbows; Bones that break easily: pathological fractures can occur, which is when bones break more easily because of the fragility caused by the tumor, with fractures of the femur or spine being more common.
In addition to these signs of cancer, the tumor can lead to weight loss for no apparent reason, severe tiredness and constant fever. In case the cancer spreads to other organs, such as lungs, it can cause other more specific symptoms, such as difficulty in breathing.
How to confirm the diagnosis
When the doctor suspects an injury to the bone, he may order an X-ray, as the X-ray may show that there is a defect in the bone or in nearby tissues, such as muscles and fat. In some cases, the doctor may also order a chest X-ray to assess whether the cancer in the bone has spread to the lungs, but this is only when the diagnosis is confirmed.
Magnetic resonance imaging is an exam that is most indicated by the doctor to confirm bone cancer and to define the size and extent of the tumor, but computed tomography and pet scan may also be recommended, as they can show whether other locations on the body are affected by the disease. In addition, bone biopsy is also done in conjunction with these other imaging tests, as it shows the type of abnormal cells that are causing bone cancer.
What are the types
There are several types of cancer in the bones, depending on the part of the bone, the tissue and the type of cell that forms the tumor, such as:
- Osteosarcoma: it is the type that develops from cells responsible for the formation of bones, and it occurs mainly in the bones of the arms, legs and pelvics, being more common in the age group between 10 and 30 years; Chondrosarcoma: begins in cartilage cells, is the second most common type of bone cancer and is rare in people under 20; Ewing's sarcoma: it can appear in children and adolescents, it is more rare in adults over 30 years and the most affected parts are the bones of the pelvic region and long bones of the legs and arms; Malignant fibrous histiocytoma: this type of bone cancer begins in the ligaments and tendons that are close to the bones, being more common in the elderly; Fibrosarcoma: also the type of cancer in the bones that develops from the soft tissues, known as ligaments and tendons; Giant cell tumor of the bone: can be benign or malignant and usually affects the knee region; Chordoma: develops more frequently in adults over the age of 30 and affects the bones of the skull and spine.
In addition, bone cancer does not always start in bone cells, often occurring as a result of metastasis from advanced cancer of another organ, such as breast, prostate and lung cancer, for example. Understand what metastases are and how to identify them.
How the treatment is done
The treatment for bone cancer is indicated by the oncologist and depends on the type of tumor, size and location, and chemotherapy, radiotherapy and, in some cases, surgery to remove the tumor are usually indicated.
In the most severe cases, it is necessary to amputate the affected limb, maintaining, if possible, the maximum of its functionality or depending on the case, an endoprosthesis can be manufactured, which is a prosthesis that serves to replace the bone that was removed.
However, when bone cancer is at a very advanced stage, which usually occurs when this cancer is a metastasis, the most common treatment is called palliative care, which is done to ensure the person's quality of life, with aim of reducing pain, with analgesic medications, and the discomfort caused by cancer symptoms.
Find out more about treatment for bone cancer.
