What do people with bone cancer have to worry about? There are several different kinds of bone cancers, and recognizing the signs and symptoms can be important. If you suspect that you or someone you love may have bone cancer, the best thing to do is get checked by a physician. Bone cancer is often a rare disease and can occur in a bone of any size or location. In addition to bone metastases, you should watch out for signs of disease spread.
The first symptom is pain in the bone affected by the cancer. It may be severe at night and may increase with physical activity. You may also limp in the affected limb. Swelling is another common sign of the condition. You may also feel a lump or mass. Your doctor will prescribe you with treatment based on your diagnosis. If the cancer has spread to another part of the body, treatment may depend on the severity of the afflicted area.
The stage number of bone cancer is determined by the severity of the disease and how far it has spread. Stages I and II refer to tumors in the bone, and the earlier a tumor is graded, the lower the stage number will be. The same goes for stage III and IV, which is for cancers that have spread beyond the bone. Cancers in these stages are often treated with the same type of treatment. However, treatment for cancers in other parts of the body should be individualized based on the type of cancer and its stage.
When a cancer has spread outside the bone, it can affect the surrounding soft tissues, such as nerves and blood vessels. When this occurs, cancer cells can invade the bone, causing changes in the bone structure and increasing the risk of fractures. A cancer of the bone can also spread to the spinal cord, pressing on the spinal cord. In such cases, a cancer can cause paralysis. Therefore, it is vital to seek the advice of a doctor if you suspect that you may have bone cancer.
There are two main types of bone cancer: primary bone cancer and metastatic bone tumor. Primary bone cancer is a type of tumor that originates in bone tissue, whereas metastatic bone cancer spreads from other parts of the body. Bone cancer is less common than metastatic cancers, with only 3,450 new cases and 1,590 deaths expected in 2014.
Most people with bone tumors have surgery performed to remove the tumor. Depending on the size and location of the tumor, different kinds of surgery may be used to remove it. Wide-excision, for example, involves removing a large part of the bone containing the tumor, and replacing it with a metal rod or bone graft. This procedure is effective for patients who have tumors on the bone but do not wish to suffer from major limb movement problems. Alternatively, curettage followed by cryosurgery is another procedure used to replace the missing bone.
