Bone Cancer

What is Bone Cancer?

Bone cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the bones rather than another part of the body and then spreading to the bones. Bone cancer is a very rare form of cancer, and there are three different types of bone cancers that can occur. Osteosarcoma bone cancer develops in growing bones, and normally affects individuals between 10 and 25 years of age. Chondrosarcoma develops in the cartilage first, and normally affects individuals over the age of 50 who are experiencing osteoporosis. Ewing’s Sarcoma, the rarest form of bone cancer, begins in the nerve tissue in the bone marrow. It typically affects the younger generation, especially those who have undergone previous radiation or chemotherapy.

Bone Cancer Statistics

It is estimated that over 2300 new cases of bone cancer will be diagnosed in the year 2007, and over 1300 deaths are also expected. The three most common types of bone cancer account for only about 0.2% of all cancers in the world, with about 35% of the cases being osteosarcoma bone cancer. Chondrosarcoma takes up about 26%, Ewing’s Sarcoma takes up 16%, and the remainder is dedicated to less common bone cancers such as chordoma or malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

What is the Prognosis for Bone Cancer?

The prognosis of bone cancer is normally very good, but it depends on whether or not the disease has had the time to spread to other parts of the body. Overall, about two out of every three patients diagnosed with bone cancer will survive after treatment, and will also not have to undergo any further treatments due to relapses. The treatment of bone cancer depends on many different factors, including the severity of the cancer as well as the overall health of the patient. Older patients are less likely to respond well to treatment, and patients with higher grades of cancer also cannot sometimes be cured.

Causes of Bone Cancer

The exact cause of bone cancer has not yet been discovered, but doctors have found many different risk factors that can increase the risk of someone developing bone cancer in their lifetime. Unlike most other types of cancer, bone cancer occurs most commonly in younger patients, and is most common among those who are 10 to 20 years old. Exposure to radiation can also increase the risk of bone cancer developing, and is normally administered for other forms of cancer. Patients with previous bone diseases or with family members who have had bone cancer are at higher risk of developing the disease, and children can even develop certain genetic disorders that leave them at a higher risk.

Symptoms of Bone Cancer

The most common symptom of bone cancer is pain, which is mainly due to tumors that form inside the bones. The pain usually progresses along with the disease, making it easier to diagnose once it has had a chance to spread and form tumors. Masses or lumps also form on the bones, but can be easily mistaken for bumps due to small injuries. Bones can also become weak and break with little impact when bone cancer is present, and they can get fragile enough to break when only a small amount of weight is applied to the affected bone. Chills, fevers, night sweats, and sudden weight loss can also occur, but more commonly occur once the disease has had a chance to spread to other parts of the body.

Treatment for Bone Cancer

The treatment of bone cancer depends on many different factors related to the disease. The type of cancer, location, aggressiveness, and whether or not the cancer has spread all determines how the cancer can be treated. The three treatments for bone cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Surgery is usually the first option as long as the surgery has not spread, and is then usually followed by chemotherapy to keep the cancer from coming back. If surgery cannot be performed, chemotherapy and radiation are usually used in conjunction with one another to shrink the tumors and prevent the disease from spreading. Although cancer that has spread can be cured, it is much less common than cancer that can be treated by a surgeon.

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