Bone Cancer Treatment

Bone Cancers are extremely rare, accounting for nearly 1 percent of all Malignancies. It is more common in males as compared to females, however, the latter tend to have an early onset of the Malignancy. The incidence rate is high in those lying in the age group of 10 to 30 years.

What is Bone Cancer?
Bone Cancer is a term used for a variety of different cancers that develop in the bones. These can start in any part of the body but are more common in the pelvic area and upper & lower limbs. Bone cancer can be of several different types, the most common ones are Osteosarcoma, Ewing Sarcoma, and Chondrosarcoma.

What are the symptoms of Bone Cancer?
Common symptoms that may point towards the possibility of one having Bone Cancer include:

• Persistent pain that aggravates at night
• Unexplained swelling
• Development of a lump or mass 
• Increased vulnerability to fractures
• Fatigue and weakness. 

When should you see a Specialist?
It is advisable to see a specialist as soon as you detect any of the above-mentioned symptoms. All these just point towards the possibility of you having Bone Cancer but are not definitive. In order to confirm whether a patient has bone cancer or not, doctors perform some physical examinations and tests. The sooner you consult a specialist, your Prognosis would be quicker and you would have a better chance to overcome it.

What causes Bone Cancer? 
The exact cause of Bone Cancer cannot be pinpointed, however, it is believed to be influenced by a number of different factors, which include:

• Being exposed to certain toxins and chemicals 
• Personal history of cancer
• Family history of bone cancer
• Having undergone radiation treatment in the past

Modalities used for the Diagnosis of Bone Cancer 

• Bone scan
• Computerized tomography or CT scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI
• PET 
• X-ray 
• Biopsy

Treatment options available for Bone Cancer

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy 
• Radiation therapy