Is bone cancer a sign of advanced age? It can be. In fact, the disease usually starts in soft tissue surrounding bones, such as tendons, ligaments, fat, and muscle. Bone cancer is most common among older adults. In addition to the arms and legs, it can also occur in the jaw. Although there is no specific cause for bone cancer, it can be passed down through genetic mutations. Learn more about this disease and how it is diagnosed.
If you suspect that you have bone cancer, you should speak with your healthcare provider about the best options for treatment. Having support from a loved one, a support group, or a group of people who are facing the same diagnosis can be helpful. Talking to others who have experienced the same symptoms may improve your emotional, spiritual, and mental health. Bone cancer is rare, but it doesn’t have to be devastating. It can be treated successfully when detected early.
If you’ve been diagnosed with bone cancer, you’ve probably heard that survival rates can vary based on where it has spread. The cancer can spread to lymph nodes and structures nearby, and it may even spread to distant areas of the body. But it’s important to know that survival rates are only a rough guide. They are based on people diagnosed with the disease five years ago and aren’t necessarily indicative of what you can expect in the future.
There are several types of bone cancer, but the most common is osteosarcoma. This disease is most likely to occur in children and adolescents. The risk increases if you have Paget’s disease, which causes excessive bone growth. Chondrosarcoma usually starts in bones, but can also develop in muscles, fat, and blood vessels. In some cases, it can also occur in the lungs and other soft tissues. It can be found in the chest, pelvis, and thigh area.
Treatment for bone cancer varies depending on the severity of the disease. Some cancers grow slowly and are treated surgically. Others are treated with chemotherapy or radiation. Treatment for bone cancer depends on the stage of the disease. Patients with primary malignancies of the bones will usually need surgical removal of the tumor. Surgical removal of the tumor is the main treatment for the disease, while other types may require repeated surgeries to compensate for the difference in limb length.
Pain from bone cancer is the most common symptom. It may come and go and increase with movement. You may even limp if your leg pain is severe. Pain will increase in intensity and frequency as the tumor grows. Different tumors will have different pain levels and differ in size. If the tumor is in a joint, for instance, it may not become painful until it is in an advanced stage. The pain can also affect other bodily functions such as breathing and swallowing.
Treatment for bone cancer is individualized and depends on the location and stage of the disease. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are common options. Surgery removes the tumor and any healthy tissue surrounding it. Chemotherapy uses strong anticancer drugs, which can be given intravenously or taken in pills. These treatments may be helpful, but they do not work for all types of bone cancer. If you do have bone cancer, it is important to remember that it is not an indication for radiation therapy.
