Bone cancer is a rare type of carcinoma known to affect children and adults worldwide. In India, the ailment affects approximately 0.2% of the population. Non-cancerous bone tumours are more common than cancerous ones.
Here’s a brief synopsis of this rare and not-so-well-known medical condition. We will look at the bone cancer causes, diagnosis, and treatment options so you have clarity on the ailment.
What is bone cancer?
Let’s first understand what is bone cancer.
Bone cancer occurs due to the uncontrolled growth of bone cells. This leads to the unusual destruction of normal bone tissue. It originates in the bones or reaches through other body parts. This is known as metastasis.
Bone tumours are benign in nature and do not spread to other body parts. They, however, can weaken bones and lead to their breakage or other problems.
This ailment can get categorised as primary and secondary bone cancer.
Primary bone cancer
Primary bone cancer, also known as sarcoma, is a tumour in the bones. Its cause is unknown, but genetics plays a role in its occurrence. Some variants of primary bone cancer are:
- Osteosarcoma: This occurs in the upper arm and knee. Young adults are most affected by it than older people. In adults, Paget’s disease of bone, another form of the ailment, is more prevalent.
- Ewing’s sarcoma: This occurs in people aged between 5 and 20. Ribs, pelvis, arms, shoulder and legs are most affected. It starts in the soft tissue surrounding the bones.
- Chondrosarcoma: This occurs in people between the ages of 40 and 70. Hips, pelvis, arms and shoulder are common cancer sites, and the ailment begins in cartilage cells.
Secondary bone cancer
It’s a form of cancer which starts elsewhere in our bodies. E.g., if lung cancer spreads to the bones, it gets tagged as secondary bone cancer. Any cancer that spreads from one part to another is known as metastatic.
Cancers that spread to bones are:
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Lung cancer
Risk factors associated with bone cancer
Bone cancer can occur due to several other factors. Aspects that make you prone to bone cancer are:
Cancer treatment: Bone tumours are most likely to occur in people who have had radiation, chemotherapy drugs or stem cell transplants.
Inherited conditions: Genetic diseases passed down through generations, such as Li-Fraumeni Syndrome and eye cancer (i.e., retinoblastoma), can lead to bone cancer.
Paget’s disease of bone: It’s a benign condition and can lead to chances of being affected with bone cancer.
Symptoms of bone cancer
Bone tumour, as such, has unnoticeable symptoms, whether cancerous or not. An X-ray of a sprain may lead to its detection. Some indicators of bone cancer include pain in the area of the tumour, aches or dullness, and sleeplessness due to pain.
Other bone cancer symptoms include:
- Fever
- Swelling around the bone
- Night sweats
- Limping
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
Remember that an injury does not cause a bone tumour.
How is bone cancer diagnosed?
Doctors generally ask or look out for symptoms, see a person’s medical history, and conduct a physical examination. They look at bone pictures through imaging tests.
Some imaging tests doctors advise include the following.
X-rays: These show the size of the tumour, i.e., how small or big they are
CT Scans: Computerised X-rays take detailed pictures of the affected region
MRI Scans: Technicians use a strong magnet to see inside the human body
PET Scans: A technician puts radioactive glucose in the veins. A scanner spots cancer cells which use way more glucose than the regular cells.
Bone Scans: A technician puts a different radioactive material in the veins. A scanner detects it when it collects in the bones.
A doctor may also do blood tests to detect blood cancer.
A biopsy is another procedure that confirms a diagnosis. The doctor takes tumour samples with a needle or through a cut in the skin. A technician looks at the tissue through a microscope and analyses if the tumour is benign, primary or secondary. It also gives an idea of the tumour’s growth.
How is bone cancer treated?
Benign tumours can get treated with medication and regular assessment. The doctor may remove the benign tumour that is likely to spread or become cancerous. Sometimes, tumours can develop again, even after treatment.
Cancerous tumours need treatment from specialists. Treatment depends upon factors like how far it has spread; doctors use this parameter to determine its stage. One can see localised cancer cells only in bone tumours. Those that affect or spread to other body parts are more serious to treat.
Common bone cancer treatments include the following.
Limb salvage surgery: The doctor removes the bone parts affected by cancer but not the nearby muscles or other tissues. A metallic implant gets inserted to replace the bones.
Amputation: The doctor may remove the limb if a tumour is large and reaches the nerves or blood vessels. One may get a prosthetic limb later on.
Radiation therapy: This therapy eliminates the cancer cells and shrinks tumours with the help of X-rays. Doctors use this therapy with surgery.
Chemotherapy: This eliminates tumour cells with drugs. Doctors opt for this treatment before or post-surgery or as a treatment for metastatic cancer.
Targeted therapy: Doctors use medicines to target genetics, protein, or other changes surrounding cancer cells.
Conclusion
If diagnosed with bone cancer, a person requires constant care and medical supervision to recuperate and prevent its recurrence. A comprehensive health insurance policy covering critical illnesses like bone cancer can help avoid financial dilemmas. Look for policies from renowned insurers and stay covered for any unexpected illnesses.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.
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