One of the most important questions you must ask a doctor if you suspect you have bone cancer is what stage it is in. Bone cancer is typically graded from low to high. Higher grades indicate more aggressive cancer and may spread faster than lower grades. Ultimately, determining the stage of your disease will determine which treatment is right for you. There are many different treatment options for bone cancer. In this article, we will discuss some of the options for bone cancer.
There is currently no known way to prevent bone cancer, but you can minimize your chances by limiting certain risk factors. These factors include genes and behaviors. While these factors may increase the risk of developing bone cancer, they do not guarantee it. A person with risk factors may not develop the disease at all, but knowing them can help you make more informed decisions about your lifestyle. Although there is no known cure for bone cancer, early detection offers the best chances of successful treatment.
Treatment for bone cancer in children and young adults involves a multidisciplinary approach. Physicians at MSK specialize in pediatric oncology, orthopedic oncology, physical therapy, and radiation treatment. The cancer specialists at MSK provide treatment for patients from all walks of life. Additionally, they provide patients with a free guide to living with cancer. If you’re a parent or caretaker, consider subscribing to an email list for tips about bone cancer and how to cope.
While there are many possible symptoms of bone cancer, the most common is pain. Pain can affect a person’s ability to move, and may worsen during use of the bone. Because bone cancer in bones can spread to other parts of the body, it’s important to monitor any pain at the first sign of bone cancer. It’s important to note that these symptoms may be a symptom of other health conditions. In some cases, a bone cancer can spread to the lungs, and a patient may experience pain or weakness in the legs and lungs.
Surgical procedures for bone cancer depend on the type of tumor and the extent of its spread. Most patients with bone cancer undergo surgery to remove the tumor and surrounding healthy tissue. Sometimes, chemotherapy is combined with radiation therapy to shrink the tumor. If these methods fail, targeted therapy drugs are used to treat the cancer. Treatment may also require bone grafts, bone reconstruction, and amputation of the affected limb. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, surgery may be the only treatment for bone cancer.
The outlook for patients with bone cancer is dependent on several factors, including age, stage of the disease, and likelihood of spreading to other parts of the body. Those who are diagnosed early and are otherwise healthy will have better outcomes. Survivorship rates for patients with bone cancer are six out of ten. However, patients with advanced stages may require multiple surgeries and chemotherapy. This is because treatment is often more complex than anticipated. Therefore, it’s important to discuss your diagnosis and treatment options with a healthcare provider.
