Generally, treatment will be based on your overall health and your preferences. Some options include surgery, which involves removing the malignant tumor and replacing it with bone marrow or metal or hard plastic. Chemotherapy involves the use of powerful drugs that kill cancer cells. This treatment is effective in some cases, but it is not effective in all cancers. Radiation therapy is another way to treat bone cancer. During treatment, you will lie on a table, where rays from a machine are sent to the tumour site.
Different types of bone cancer are staged to determine their severity. There are three grades of bone cancer: low, intermediate, and high. The higher the grade, the more atypical the cells. High-grade cancer has spread to other tissues. Osteosarcomas typically show symptoms of stage 2B. It is important to seek treatment as soon as possible, as the tumor may be in its late stages. Surgical removal may be the best option for some cases.
Fortunately, a variety of treatments are available for bone cancer. Early diagnosis is critical for its success. In addition to surgery and medication, treatment for bone cancer depends on the type of tumor. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and cryosurgery. If your doctor finds it early enough, your symptoms may go away. If you or someone you know has bone cancer, you may want to consider joining a support group. Communicating with other people who have undergone similar experiences may improve your emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
A tumor can cause pain and swelling in its location. The pain may get worse with movement, especially if it hits healthy bone tissue. Swelling can also occur if the tumor is located near a joint. If the tumor is near a joint, you may also experience stiffness in the affected joint. If you fracture a bone, it can affect your mobility and cause a limp. If you lose a leg from the tumor, you may even lose function and limp.
Biopsy of a bone tumor requires the assistance of a qualified medical team. Your physician will need to perform the biopsy in a manner that will not compromise the ability of future surgery. In addition, you may need a chest X-ray to check whether the cancer has spread to your lungs. Depending on the type of cancer, your doctor may also perform a bone biopsy without requiring any pre-appointment restrictions.
Whether bone cancer will lead to a full recovery is not clear, but the 5-year survival rate is encouraging. About 68% of patients will survive the disease if diagnosed in its early stages. However, the survival rate is based on several factors and does not reflect individual outcomes. If you’re diagnosed with bone cancer, it’s important to seek medical help as soon as possible. You will be able to extend your life by receiving treatment and a cure.
