Pain in the affected bone is the most common complaint of patients with bone cancer. At first, the pain is not constant and may be worse at night or when the bone is used (example is leg pain when walking). As the cancer grows, the pain will be there all the time. The pain increases with activity and may result in a limp if a leg is involved.
Swelling in the area of the pain may not occur until weeks later. Depending on the location of the tumor, it may be possible to feel a lump or mass.
Fractures: Although bone cancer may weaken the bone it develops in, the bones do not usually fracture. People with a fracture next to or through a bone cancer usually describe a limb that was sore for a few months and suddenly became severely painful.
Generalized symptoms: If the cancer has spread, you may have generalized symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue.
However, symptoms may vary depending on the location and size of the cancer. Tumors that occur in or near joints may cause swelling or tenderness in the affected area.
The treatment options for bone cancer
Various forms of cancer treatments using surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy for bone cancer are being tested in clinical trials.
Clinical trials are a critical step in the development of new methods of treatment. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease.
Treatment options depend on the type, size, location, and stage of the cancer, as well as the person’s age and general health.
Although amputation of a limb is sometimes necessary, pre- or post-operative chemotherapy has made limb-sparing surgery possible in many cases.
When appropriate, surgeons avoid amputation by removing only the cancerous section of the bone and replacing it with an artificial device called a prosthesis.
However, a biopsy�"the removal of a sample of tissue from the bone tumor�"is needed to determine whether cancer is present
The possible risk factors for bone cancer
Although scientists are not certain what causes bone cancer, a number of factors may put a person at increased risk.
These cancers occur more frequently in children and young adults, particularly those who have had radiation or chemotherapy treatments for other conditions.
Adults with a noncancerous condition such as characterized by abnormal development of new bone cells, may be at increased risk for osteosarcoma.
A small number of bone cancers are due to heredity. For example, children with hereditary retinoblastoma (an uncommon cancer of the eye) are at a higher risk of developing osteosarcoma.
Cancer rarely originates in the bone; instead, cancer from another area of the body sometimes metastasizes, or spreads, to a bone. For this reason, and because bone cancer is difficult to detect early, people who have had another type of cancer are routinely screened for bone cancer. The only type of bone cancer that actually begins in the bone is osteosarcoma, an uncommon primary bone cancer that has the same symptoms as secondary bone cancer. Multiple myeloma, the most common form of primary bone cancer, usually affects older people. It attacks the tissues that create immune-system components called B cells, which in turn create antibodies that fight disease. The most likely cause of this disease is chronic over stimulation of the B cells. These cells are activated by petroleum products and by chemicals used in farming, leatherworking, and woodworking.
Since multiple myeloma depletes the body's supply of B cells, one of the main problems in managing the disease is reduced resistance to infection. People with multiple myeloma are particularly susceptible to infections in the urinary tract, lungs, and sinuses.
Signs and Symptoms
A lump or hard mass on the surface of a bone
Pain in the affected area
Weakening or fractures of the affected bone
Appetite or weight loss
Conventional Medical Treatment
If you feel a lump on a bone, or a bone fractures spontaneously, visit your physician immediately. While your doctor may take X-rays to help produce a diagnosis, a bone biopsy usually is required to confirm the presence of malignant cells. If the cancer is limited to a small area of bone, a surgeon may be able to remove only the cancerous masses. More severe cases, however, often require amputation of all or a portion of a limb. After surgery, chemotherapy or radiation is usually required.
Complementary and Alternative Treatments
A good healthy diet high in unprocessed grains and vegetables is important also to support the healing of damaged or weakened bones as is weight bearing exercise.
I recommend that anyone serious about healing damaged or weakened bones include Oats and a ground combination of Millet and Linseed in their breakfast. Also that they work at a regular program of weight bearing exercises appropriate to their age, strength and fitness level.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture Bone cancer can be extremely painful; acupuncture can offer much-needed relief by releasing "feel good" endorphins and enhancing relaxation.
Acupressure This therapy can be used to improve the patient's disposition and enhance feelings of well-being as well as to alleviate pain. Care must be taken when applying pressure, so as not to cause discomfort or damage fragile bones.
Both Jack Stone & Franchis are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jack Stone has sinced written about articles on various topics from Types of Cancer, Affiliate Programs. Copyright 2007 JackStowe. For more cancer related articles visit,Don't take your family's health for granted, know the facts of natural. Jack Stone's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.
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