What is bone cancer?

This is a disease that occurs when a tumor or abnormal mᴀss of tissue forms in the bone. This is a type of cancer that involves three types of cells: osteoblasts, cartilage-forming cells, and bone-forming connective tissue cells. A tumor is considered malignant (cancerous) when it grows rapidly and spreads to other parts of the body.

Finding cancer early – when it is small and before it has spread – often results in more treatment options. Some early cancers may have noticeable signs and symptoms, but this is not always the case. Bone cancer (osteosarcoma) is most commonly found in children and adolescents ages 9 to 19.

Common types of bone cancer

There are two types of bone cancer: primary cancer, which starts in bone cells, and secondary cancer, which is cancer that has spread to the bone from somewhere else. Primary bone cancer is rare. It is estimated that more than 200 people will be diagnosed with bone cancer in 2023. The average age at diagnosis is 42 years.

Secondary bone cancer is more commonly found because it has spread from other parts of the body. There are more than 30 different types of primary bone cancer. Also called osteosarcoma, the most common types include:

• Bone cancer begins in the cells that develop bone tissue.
• Chondrosarcoma begins in the cells that develop cartilage.
• Ewing’s sarcoma affects cells in the bone or soft tissue that multiply rapidly and is treated in a variety of ways.

Signs of bone cancer

Not only does it cause disability or loss of function of the musculoskeletal system, but more seriously, it can take the patient’s life. Early detection of bone cancer will support better treatment results. This terrible disease has many signs, but there is one sign of bone cancer that you may not expect.<ʙuттon class="rank-math-content-ai-tooltip">Shorten with AI

The most common symptom of bone cancer is bone and joint pain, which may be worse at night or with activity.<ʙuттon class="rank-math-content-ai-tooltip">Shorten with AIHere are some early signs of bone cancer that can help you detect this terrible disease early. Other symptoms may include:<ʙuттon class="rank-math-content-ai-tooltip">Shorten with AI

Unexplained weight loss

According to statistics, about 40% of people report unexplained weight loss when they are first diagnosed with cancer, and about 80% of people with advanced cancer experience weight loss and wasting. Most cancers cause weight loss by causing symptoms that make it difficult to eat, such as nausea, loss of appeтιтe, and difficulty chewing or swallowing.

Cancer also triggers an anti-tumor inflammatory response by producing inflammatory cytokines and altering the body’s metabolism. This disrupts hormones that regulate appeтιтe, promoting the breakdown of fat and muscle.

Growing tumors use a significant amount of the body’s energy, which can increase resting energy expenditure (REE).

Unusual lump or swelling

In the initial stage, the patient can feel the tumor appearing in the bone when touching, feeling pain and heat. If the swelling and pain persist, the damaged bone tissue will protrude, appearing concave and convex areas on the body. 

Patients with muscle atrophy

Signs of muscle atrophy will come after signs of swelling and pain. When the patient has bone swelling and pain for too long, it will affect walking.

Pain and reluctance to walk can also lead to muscle atrophy or the disease has progressed to a new stage affecting bone function, thereby causing symptoms of muscle atrophy and bone dysfunction.

Frequent body aches

Pain is the first sign that the tumor has metastasized to the bone. Initially the pain may be intermittent and then become constant, more severe with movement. The bone is damaged and weakened to the point of being easily fractured. Unusual fatigue, dull, deep pain, progressing over time, often becomes difficult to relieve with conventional pain medications. When the toxins in the tumor are stimulated, the body often aches.

A series of symptoms come such as loss of appeтιтe, weight loss, anemia, insomnia, sweating, the patient feels lack of energy in activities. In addition, if the bone tumor is close to the skin, it can be felt with localized pain.

Patients are susceptible to bone fractures.

Bone fractures usually only occur when the patient is injured. However, when suffering from bone cancer, because the bones are weak and destroyed, even during daily activities, accidental falls can cause bone fractures, also known as pathological fractures.

Common areas of fracture include the tibia, the long bones of the forearm, and the spine. When the spine is fractured, the patient may feel a sudden pain in the middle of the back.

In case of threatened fracture, the doctor may prescribe surgery to fuse the bone by placing a metal pin in the weak bone area to reinforce and prevent fracture. If the bone has been broken, the doctor will prescribe surgery to fix the bone with a metal pin or plate. If the bone pain persists for a long time and frequently, the patient is at risk of paralysis.

Signs of being squeezed

A growing tumor will compress the nervous system, tissues, and muscles. A pelvic bone tumor will compress the bladder and intestines. A spinal cord tumor will compress the spine, causing paralysis.

Detecting bone cancer in its early stages will help treatment achieve better results. In particular, bone cancer is very common in young people, with a long future ahead. Therefore, early detection of the disease will help patients avoid amputation, avoiding major mental effects.

Loss of sensation in the affected bone area

The patient may lose sensation in the bone area where the tumor is active, and the limb may have no strength or lose support.

Swelling in the affected bone

Stiffness or pain in the bones

Conclusion

Above are the signs of bone cancer. Hopefully the above knowledge can help you detect bone cancer and promptly examine and screen for cancer from the earliest signs of the disease. Follow the website to learn more about other health issues.