Bone cancer is a rare form of cancer. In fact, only 1% of all tumors are related to this type of cancer. Often, bone tumors are benign, and they tend to be secondary, meaning they came from a different site. Primary bone cancer, which is therefore incredibly rare, is most common in young adult male. Osteosarcoma is the most common form, which can affect any part of the body, although mainly the pelvis, legs, and arms. Other forms of bone cancer include chondrosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and Ewing sarcoma.

Causes of Bone Cancer – The Primary Type:

It isn't known what causes primary bone cancer. However, it is known that people who have Pagets disease are more at risk of developing it.

Causes of Bone Cancer – The Secondary Type:

Secondary bone cancer is the most common form of this disease. It starts somewhere else in the body and then metastasizes to the bone. Usually, the primary cancer in this case came from the thyroid, kidney, lung, prostate, or breast.

Different Types of Bone Cancer:

There are many different types of bone cancer, which is interesting since the cancer itself is so rare. The causes of bone cancer in these cases are often not known. Some of these types are:

1. Reticulum cell sarcoma of the bone, whereby the tumor is in the bone marrow. This is more common in men.

2. Leukemia, which is a cancer of the blood that originates in the bone marrow

Symptoms of Bone Cancer:

Usually, bone cancer symptoms develop very slowly, although the size, location, and type of tumor do play a role in this. Common symptoms include:

– Swelling of the joints and bones

– Painful joints and bones

– Mobility issues

– Susceptibility to fractures

– Sweating

– Fever

– Tiredness

– Unexplained weight loss

There is no clearly defined cause of bone cancer. However, there are some factors that put people at increased risk. The most important factor is heredity. The disease is generally diagnosed in either the legs or arms, although it can occur in any bone. To be diagnosed, people have to go through various scans and tests, so that the location of the tumor can be identified before a biopsy is taken.

Treatment and Prognosis:

Treatment and prognosis depends on a range of things, including the extent and type of cancer, the health of the patient, and more. Common forms of treatment include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or surgery. A new type of treatment can be found in redox cell supplementation.

Usually, the tumor will first be surgically removed, as well the nearby lymph nodes. In some cases, amputations are required. Before surgery, people are often treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This helps to shrink the tumor. This treatment will continue even after surgery. In cases of secondary bone cancer, however, treatment will depend on what is happening with the original cancer. It is possible for surgery to be offered in order to make the bone stronger.

Bone cancer is a rare and poorly understood cancer that traditionally had a very poor prognosis. Thanks to medical advances, prognosis has improved to a certain degree. In cases of very small and localized tumors, there is now a near 90% five year survival rate. However, if the tumor has started to metastasize, this drops to just 60%. Once it has spread, survival rates are very poor.