11 April 2022, Monday
How Common is Bone Cancer in Adults?
The phrase “bone cancer” refers to various malignancies that grow in the bones. The type of bone cancer depends on the type of cell and tissue where it starts. The development of cancer cells affect bone tissues and cause complications.
Primary bone malignancies are tumors that start in the bone itself. Many cancers that start in the organs or other body parts can spread to the bones and other parts.
These cancers are known as secondary or metastatic bone cancers. Furthermore, most breast, prostate, and lungs cancers metastasize (spread) to the bones.
Bone Cancer in Adults
Bone cancer is a rare disease. They account for less than 1% of all malignancies. They can affect anyone at any age, but they are more frequent in children, teenagers, and young adults than in older persons.
What are the types of bone cancers?
Bone cancers are categorized based on the type of cell in which cancer began. The following are the most prevalent kinds of bone cancer-
– Ewing sarcoma
Named after the doctor who initially identified this type of bone cancer, Ewing sarcoma encompasses many tumors with comparable characteristics and origins in the same cell types. These tumors can develop in the bones and the soft tissues surrounding them. Ewing sarcoma usually develops in the hips, ribs, shoulder blades, and long bones like the legs.
It is cancer that starts in cartilage tissue. Cartilage is a soft connective tissue that permits bones and joints to move freely. When the body adds calcium to cartilage, some of it becomes bone. This cancer is most commonly found in the bones of the forearm, leg, or hips. Chondrosarcoma is more common in adults than in children, unlike osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma.
It is a rare tumor that starts in the spine’s bones, generally near the base of the spine or the base of the skull. Chordoma, like chondrosarcoma, is more common in older people. This kind of bone cancer is more common in men than in women.
It is the most prevalent type of bone cancer, and it grows in the cells that produce the new bone structure. It can begin in any bone, although it most commonly starts at the ends of big bones like the arms and legs.
Causes and risk factors of Bone Cancer
Bone cancer may be caused by one or more of the following factors:
- Possessing a history of cancer in the family, particularly bone cancer.
- Paget’s disease is a disorder that causes the bones to break down and then grow back unnaturally.
- Multiple tumors in the cartilage are the connective tissue in the bone, currently or formerly.
- Genetic syndromes – Li-Fraumeni syndrome and hereditary retinoblastoma are two rare genetic diseases that enhance the risk of bone cancer in families.
- Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment. Large doses of radiation raise the risk of bone cancer developing in the future.
Symptoms of Bone Cancer
Other than a painless lump, some people with bone cancer have no symptoms. Others may experience a wide range of symptoms. Other disorders, such as arthritis or Lyme disease, might elicit these symptoms, which can cause a delay in diagnosis.
The following are the most prevalent symptoms of bone cancer:
- A source of discomfort (usually worse at night).
- Swelling that hasn’t been explained.
- Moving around is difficult.
- Feeling exhausted (fatigue).
Bone Cancer Prevention
There is currently no known way to prevent bone cancer because experts do not know what causes it. Because radiation therapy (another recognized cause of bone cancer) is required to treat other cancers, we cannot avoid it entirely.
If you have any signs or symptoms of bone cancer, you should have your stage checked as a precautionary measure.
Bone cancer is a rare disease that can affect people of any age. Understanding your diagnosis in depth will help you make the best health decisions possible. Schedule an appointment with your healthcare professional whenever you experience bone discomfort or swelling.
If you’re already receiving treatment for bone cancer, let your doctor know if you notice any new symptoms.
Orthopaedic Oncology covers any tumor arising in the extremities, pelvis, abdominal wall, chest wall, back, spine and sacrum.
There are several investigations which can contribute in the detection/ diagnosis of Bone Metastases.
Sarcoma is a class of cancer arising from connective tissue, which includes bone, muscle, fat tissue, etc.
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In simple words, staging is a system to determine the extent of cancer in the patient and the level of risk posed to the patient due to it.
Dr. Chetan Anchan
MS - Orthopaedics, Diploma in Orthopaedics,
FCPS - Mid. & Gynae, MBBS
About Author - Dr. Chetan Anchan is an expert and well known orthopaedic surgeon and oncologist from Mumbai. He has a vast experience in treating all types of Malignant and Benign, Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors, and Skeletal Metastases.
To book an appointment, call: +91 – 93244 27302
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