Bone cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells that build the bones. There are two types of that you should know about. Primary bone cancer originates from the bone itself, while metastasized bone cancer means that it has spread from its point of origin to another part of the body. The first type makes up a very small percentage of bone cancer patients.
Symptoms of Bone Cancer:
One of the most common symptoms of is pain that progressively gets worse over time. At times the pain may remain for extended periods of time before it becomes most people seek to see a doctor. Another symptom could be frequent fractures as a result of a weakening of the bones as the cancer spreads. Occasionally, one might feel a disruption of the nerves and blood vessels in the area of the cancer, these will produce a numbing sensation, tingling in the affected area, tender to the touch, or a decrease in blood flow. Extremities may feel unusually cold and weak.
How to Treat Bone Cancer:
There are different types of bone cancer so there are several different forms of treatment. To choose the best option for treating your cancer, your doctor will need to know exactly where in the bone the cancer has developed. This will help him to decide which course of treatment will work best.
1. Osteosarcoma: This is the most common type and it is usually found in older children, teenagers, and young adults. It is more likely to be found in males and develops in the long bones of the body or where there is active bone growth. Another common location in the body is the arm area. Treatment for this type could be surgery to remove the infected area of the bone and surrounding tissue that may also have been affected.
2. Chondrosarcoma: This is the second most common form and it usually develops in the cells that produce cartilage that is attached to the cover bone. It usually strikes people in their 40s and older. It can grow quickly and is considered to be a very aggressive form of the disease. It is most likely found in the hip and pelvis area. Treatment for this type of cancer could be radiation therapy, which involves a high dose of chemotherapy and sometimes even a stem-cell transplant.
Many of the therapies used to treat bone cancer can be specifically targeted to a specific area of the bone. Whatever the case, the prognosis of recovering with treatment options will depend largely on which type of cancer you're battling and how far it's spread throughout the body. The average survival rate for both adults and children is between 70 and 80%. For those with osteosarcomas the numbers go down to about 60 to 80% if it hasn't spread. Once the cancer has metastasized, the survival rate takes a significant drop.
Your best option if you suspect bone cancer is to seek treatment as soon as possible. People may suffer from cancer but the earlier it is detected the better the chances of making a complete recovery.