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Definition:

Bone cancer is an uncommon type of cancer that begins when cells in the bone start to grow out of control.

It most commonly affects the pelvis or the long bones in the arms and legs

 

The two broad categories of bone cancer are:

Primary: cancers that start in the bone itself (bone sarcomas)

Secondary: cancers that start elsewhere in the body and spread to bone (metastasis)

 

Symptoms:

Some common symptoms associated with bone cancer are:

Bone pain

Swelling and tenderness near the affected area

Weakened bone, leading to fracture

Fatigue

Unintended weight loss

 

(Many of these are non specific so it is important to take the clinical picture into context)

 

 

 

(Image sourced from Bone Cancer Research Trust)

 

Diagnosis & Treatment:

Imaging tests can help determine the location and size of bone tumors, and whether the tumors have spread to other parts of the body. The types of imaging tests recommended depend on your individual signs and symptoms. Tests may include:

Bone scan

Computerized tomography (CT)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Positron emission tomography (PET)

X-ray

Treatment options for bone cancer are based on the type of cancer, the stage of the cancer, and the overall patient health and preferences.

Different bone cancers respond to different treatments. For example, some bone cancers are treated with just surgery; some with surgery and chemotherapy; and some with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy

 

 

 

 

 

For more information see links below:

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bone-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350221

 

https://www.cancer.gov/types/bone

 

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bone-cancer.html