Bone Cancer is when the cells begin to divide uncontrollably. It can affect any bone in the body but is found more commonly in the knee bone, thigh-bone, pelvis, and other long bones in the arms and legs.
The cancer can be either primary, i.e., it arises within the cells of the bone itself, or secondary, i.e., it spreads from elsewhere. The most common treatment for this cancer is surgery. However, chemotherapy and radiation therapies are used too.
Causes of Bone Cancer
Doctors and researchers are not sure about the precise reason behind bone cancer because there can be different reasons for the disease from person to person. There might be some inherited DNA mutations that can cause the cancer.
Symptoms of Bone Cancer
- Bone pain.
- Swelling
- Weakened Bone
- Weight loss and fatigue
- Problems in movement
- Fractures
- Numbness and tingling sensation
Prevention of Bone Cancer
- Know your family history.
- Be informed about your Bone health.
- Eat a nutritious diet.
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid tobacco
- Have an early diagnosis
Diagnosis of Bone Cancer
To diagnose bone cancer accurately, certain steps are important. These steps help determine the best treatment options. The main steps to diagnose are:
- Imaging tests – Tests like CT Scans, MRIs, PET scans, and X-rays help doctors determine the location and size of the tumours and see if they’ve spread to other parts of the body.
- Biopsy – The doctor might remove a sample of tissues from the tumour to test it in the lab further. It helps the doctor determine if the tissue is cancerous and determine its type.
Treatment options for Bone cancer
- Surgery – It aims at removing the entire tumour. It involves removing the tumour in one single go, along with a small portion of healthy tissues around it. Certain Bone cancers that are very large or complicated might require the removal of part of the limb. However, with the advancement in treatments, amputation is becoming less common.
- Chemotherapy – It is the use of anti-cancer drugs that are usually delivered intravenously to stop cancer cells.
- Radiation Therapy – It is the use of high-power beams to halt cancer cells. It can shrink the tumours and make it easier to remove them. It reduces the likelihood of amputations.
- Targeted Therapy – It is a drug treatment that targets certain molecules that help cancer grow and spread across the body.