A bone tumor is a type of tumor derived from bone tissue and can either be malignant or benign. While malignant bone tumors can be life-threatening, the benign form is far less harmful. They do not spread to other parts of the body and rarely pose a threat. Treatment is dependent on the type and location of the tumor. Listed below are some of the treatment options for bone tumors. Once diagnosed, a bone cancer treatment plan will be made for you.
A bone biopsy is required to determine the grade and type of bone cancer. Core needle biopsy is performed under anaesthetic, with a thin needle inserted into the affected bone to obtain a sample of tissue. Open biopsy, on the other hand, is done under a general anaesthetic and involves making an incision in the bone that has been affected by the cancer. During the procedure, the sample may be inconclusive, depending on the type of bone cancer.
The symptoms of bone cancer are not always apparent. Some people may experience pain, fever, night sweats, or a lump. However, it is important to note that not all bone cancers cause pain, and a bone tumor may be a result of an injury or other condition. In some cases, a bone tumor may be accidentally discovered when an X-ray is taken for another reason. Therefore, it is crucial to seek a doctor’s advice if you have these symptoms.
Treatment for bone cancer depends on the type of cancer, its location, stage, age, and overall health of the patient. Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, cryosurgery, targeted therapy, and more. Surgical removal is the most common treatment for bone cancer. While surgery can be risky, it is essential to avoid it if possible. Patients can also expect to experience a dull ache as the cancer grows.
X-rays are useful in diagnosing bone cancer and can also be helpful in determining if the disease has spread. In some cases, the x-ray may show that a tumor is growing in a bone, but if the x-ray shows something unusual, doctors will recommend a biopsy. Bone cancer is a rare disease, and doctors do not have many specialists in the local area. However, a bone cancer biopsy is the most accurate way to determine if you have bone cancer.
The most common type of bone cancer is osteosarcoma. The disease has been treated with chemotherapy drugs since the 1970s, but resistance to chemotherapy drugs has led to a lower survival rate for patients. This multidrug-resistant form of cancer is characterized by a dysregulation of non-coding RNAs. The Notch signaling pathway regulates the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, suppresses apoptosis genes, and promotes tumor stem cells.
Although there is no known cause of bone cancer, previous cancer treatment is a risk factor. People who received high-dose external radiation therapy or anti-cancer drugs are more likely to develop this cancer. Also, children who receive a myeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplant are at increased risk for this disease. Certain inherited conditions increase the risk of developing bone cancer. Children with hereditary retinoblastoma or Li-Fraumeni syndrome are more likely to develop this type of tumor.
