Things you need to know about Bone Cancer
Bone cancer refers to cancer that originates in the bone itself and has not invaded it from any other region. Though it can affect any bone in the body, long bones like that of arms and legs are most commonly involved.
What is Bone Cancer
Based on the cells of origin and age group affected there are several types of bone cancers. Common types of bone cancer are:
Some of the common symptoms of bone cancer include:
Certain changes in a person’s DNA, called mutations, can cause normal cells to grow and multiply in an uncontrolled fashion, without getting destroyed like the normal cells would, thus resulting in the development of a tumor. These mutations can either be inherited or acquired during a person’s lifetime.
Most people with bone cancer do not have any apparent risk factors, but doctors have stated certain factors that predispose to cancer:
Your oncologist can diagnose bone cancer by:
Diagnosis of Bone Cancer
Once diagnosed, staging of cancer is necessary to make the treatment plan.
Cancer staging is done in two ways: TNM (Tumour, Node, Metastasis) staging and Number staging from I to IV. It was developed by the International Union against Cancer and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC).
Stages progress from stage I to stage IV depending upon the aggressiveness of the cancer cells and the extent of spread.
Stage 1: In stage 1A, cancer is smaller than 8 centimeters across and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or to distant sites. In stage 1B, cancer grows larger than 8 centimeters across and may occur at more than one place on the same bone. Stage 1 bone cancers are low grade (G0) or cannot be determined (GX).
Stage 2: In stage 2A, cancer is smaller than 8 centimeters across and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or to distant sites. In stage 2B, cancer grows larger than 8 centimeters across and may occur at more than one place on the same bone. Stage 2 bone cancers are high grade (G2 or G3).
Stage 3: Stage 3 bone cancer is in more than one place on the same bone and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes or to distant sites. Stage 3 bone cancers are high grade (G2 or G3).
Stage 4: Stage 4 bone cancer can be of any size and may occur in more than one place on the same bone. Stage 4A cancer has not spread to lymph nodes but it has spread only to lungs (M1a). Stage 4B cancer may or may not have spread to lymph nodes, lungs or other bones. Stage 4 bone cancers can be of any grade.
Treatment for bone cancer depends on the type, site, size, and stage of cancer and on the individual’s age and overall health. Available options are:
Treatment for Bone Cancer
Survival rates are based on outcomes of a large number of people who had the disease. Survival rates are often used by doctors to determine the patient’s prognosis. The 5-year survival rate implies the percentage of people surviving 5 years after the diagnosis of their disease. It depends on many factors like the overall health of the patient, stage, and site of the tumor.
The 5-year survival rates for various circumstances are as mentioned below:
Preventive measures are not yet established for bone cancer. Although, knowledge of risk factors and timely medical assistance can help diagnose bone cancer in its initial stages and thus can be treated effectively.
To know more about bone cancer, you can request a callback and our Bone Cancer Specialties will call you and answer all your queries.
“The content of this publication has been developed by a third party content providerwho are clinicians and/or medical writers and/or experts. The information contained herein is for educational purpose only and we request you to please consult a Registered Medical Practitioner or Doctor before deciding the appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan.”