Bone Cancer Definition
Bone cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in bones. They usually occur in older adults and may spread to other parts of the body. There are several types of bone cancers including osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma.
Types of Bone Cancer
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer. Osteosarcomas develop from cells called osteoblasts. These cells form hard bone material.
Chondrosarcoma is another type of bone cancer. This cancer forms cartilage instead of bone. Ewing sarcoma is a rare type of bone cancer. It starts in blood vessels near the bone.
1. Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that occurs in the bones and connective tissue. Most commonly, osteosarcomas occur in the long bones of the legs, but they may also develop in the arms, pelvis, ribs, skull, jaw, and spine.
Symptoms usually begin slowly, gradually increasing pain and swelling. The tumor grows rapidly, causing deformity and disability.
2. Chondrosarcoma
Chondrosarcomas are malignant tumors of cartilage. They are rare, accounting for approximately 1% of all cancers.
They often arise from bone, although they can also originate from soft tissues. Common locations include the knee joint, shoulder girdle, hip, and elbow.
3. Fibrosarcoma
Fibrosarcoma’s are a type of sarcoma that develops from fibrous connective tissue. They are relatively uncommon, accounting for less than 10% of all sarcomas.
There are two types: superficial fibrosarcoma and deep fibrosarcoma. Superficial fibrosarcoma’s tend to affect the skin. Deep fibrosarcoma’s usually involve deeper structures, including muscle, tendon, and fascia.
4. Rhabdomyosarcoma
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a form of soft tissue cancer that originates in skeletal muscles. They account for about 3% of childhood cancers.
It is the most common primary pediatric soft tissue sarcoma. Rhabdomyomas are benign tumors composed primarily of striated muscle cells. Rhabdomyoma is a variant of rhabdomyosarcoma.
Reason of Bone Cancer
According to the best oncologists in Mumbai, bone cancer is a malignant tumor that starts from the bone. It may occur at any age but its incidence increases with aging. About 1% of all cancers affect bones.
There are two types of bone cancer – primary and secondary. Primary bone cancer occurs when there is a direct involvement of bone cells while secondary bone cancer is caused due to some condition that affects the bone.
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Common Symptoms
The first symptom of bone cancer is pain. Other symptoms include swelling, redness, warmth, and tenderness. Sometimes bone cancer causes a lump under the skin.
1. Bones that feel soft
The first sign of bone cancer is often a painless bump or swelling on the surface of the bone. This problem usually occurs at the end of the long bones of the arm or leg. However, some types of bone cancer may cause bone pain.
2. Painful joints
Bone cancer can spread through the bloodstream to nearby parts of the body. When this happens, cancer cells break away from the original tumor and enter the bloodstream.
They then move throughout the body where they lodge in the lining of blood vessels near the affected bones. As a result, the cancer spreads into the surrounding tissues and causes problems with the joint.
3. Swelling
When bone cancer breaks away from its original location, fluid collects around the area. This condition is called edema. Sometimes, the skin under the swollen area becomes red and irritated.
4. Numbness
Sometimes, bone cancer causes nerve damage. A person might experience numbness or tingling in their fingers or toes.
Diagnosis
A doctor will take a sample of fluid from the affected area. A biopsy will then be done to determine whether the cancer has spread. X-rays and CT scans may also be used to diagnose bone cancer.
