How to Understand Bone Cancer - Types, Causes, Symptoms, Treamtment

What is bone cancer?

Bone Cancer is more often seen in children and adolescents whereas an adult with cancer that is found in the bones has spread from a different location of the body known as metastasis.

Types of bone cancer

There are many different types of bone cancer with the most common being chondrosarcoma, chordoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, histiocytoma, lymphoma, malignant fibrous, multiple myeloma, and osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer found in males between the ages of 10 and 25 years. This type of bone cancer spreads quickly and often attacks the lungs.

Ewing’s sarcoma is the most common bone cancer for children between 4 years and 15 years. It is more often seen in boys. This type of bone cancer also spreads to the lungs and other tissues.
Chondrosarcoma is the most common bone cancer found in individuals over the age of 40. It is seen a bit more in males than females. It often spreads to the lungs and lymph nodes as well as the pelvis and hips.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is the most common bone cancer found in older individuals between the ages of 50 and 60. This type of cancer is seen twice as much in males as it is in females.
Fibrosarcoma is a rare type of bone cancer often seen in ages 35 to 55 and is more common in males than females.

Chordoma is the rarest form of bone cancer seen in more often in males over the age of 30.
Lymphoma is a type of bone cancer that is not a tumor but beings in the cells of the lymph nodes but can also begin in the bones. Multiple myeloma is a type of bone cancer that is not a tumor but starts in the bone marrow cells.

Causes of bone cancer

There are no known causes for bone cancer; however, research has shown there are risk factors that can attribute to the development of bone cancer. These risk factors include being a child or adolescent, previous chemotherapy, previous radiation treatments, history of Paget’s disease, family history of bone cancer, and individual’s with hereditary retinoblastoma.

Symptoms of bone cancer

Pain is the major symptom of bone cancer. The symptoms are usually mild in the early stages and become severe as the cancer grows. In some cases, the pain may only be present during specific times such as in the night or during activities. The weakened bones can become fractured by just standing if the bone affected is in the leg. Other symptoms include chills, night sweats, fever, and weight loss.

Treatment options for bone cancer

There are different types of treatment according to the stage of the bone cancer and if the cancer has spread to other tissue or organs of the body. In most cases, treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Prevention of bone cancer

There is no prevention known at this time to ensure that an individual does not develop bone cancer, however, you can talk with your physician about possible prevention if you at risk.