In adulthood, about 10% of bone cancers are chondrosarcomas, a malignancy involving cartilage cells. Children are more likely to develop this condition than adults. Approximately 5% of all childhood bone cancers are chondrosarcomas. These cancers are relatively rare and are difficult to detect. Although most cases are in children, they may affect adults as well. Some of the most common types of bone cancers include osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma.
While there is no cure for bone cancer, survivors must keep up with follow-up appointments for several years. These appointments will ensure the cancer has not returned and to monitor any side effects caused by the treatment. Follow-up appointments may include a physical examination or imaging scans. The frequency of these appointments depends on the type of bone cancer that was treated. However, if follow-up visits are relatively easy, the frequency will decrease. However, it is important to inform your doctor if you start experiencing any new symptoms, such as fever, so he or she will know what to do.
While there are no specific causes for bone cancer, there are several risk factors that contribute to the disease. People with certain inherited genetic syndromes are at increased risk of developing bone cancer, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome and hereditary retinoblastoma. In addition, exposure to radiation during cancer treatment may increase the risk of developing this disease. Patients with inherited risk of cancer should discuss these factors with their doctors. During the initial stage, the cancer may have spread to one or more bone sites. Stage 4 bone cancer has spread to the tissues surrounding the bone. It may have spread to other parts of the body.
The most common ethnic group with bone cancer is Asian. Asian people in Hawaii and the Filipinos in Khon Kaen, Thailand have the highest rates among men and Asian males. In the Americas, the rate of male bone cancer is higher than that of females. The highest incidence rates of bone cancer are among Asian males, while females are at the lowest rate. The male/female ratio of bone cancer among Asians is higher than that of the Chinese in Hawaii.
Although the 5-year survival rate for people diagnosed with bone cancer is low for localized cases, this disease is resectable. Patients can undergo surgery to remove the cancer and may even experience a cure. If the cancer is high-grade, however, chemotherapy is required. A patient must follow a strict protocol for treatment of high-grade bone cancer. This is essential for maximizing the chances of recovery. The best bone cancer treatment depends on the diagnosis and stage.
A doctor will use a biopsy to determine the type of cancer that has spread to bone. If the MRI does not show a tumour, a CT scan is performed to see where it has spread. If the CT scan shows that the tumour has spread to other bones, the doctor may conduct a biopsy to determine its location and size. A chest X-ray may be ordered to determine whether it has spread to the lungs. This test can be performed on the affected bone.
