Cancer of the bones (bone tumor)

General or Other | Oncology | Cancer of the bones (bone tumor) (Disease)


Description

A bone tumor refers to a neoplastic growth of tissue in bone. Abnormal growths found in the bone can be either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

The most common types of bone cancer include: Osteosarcoma: begins in the bone cells, occurs most often in children and young adults; Chondrosarcoma: begins in cartilage cells that are commonly found on the ends of bones, most commonly affects older adults; Ewings sarcoma: may begin in nerve tissue within the bone. Other examples: Osteoma, Osteoid osteoma, Osteochondroma, Osteoblastoma, Enchondroma, giant cell tumor of bone, aneurysmal bone cyst, Teratoma, Fibrosarcoma and Fibrous dysplasia of bone.

The most common symptom of bone tumors is pain, along with fatigue, fever, weight loss, anemia, and/or unexplained bone fractures.

Causes and Risk factors

Its not clear what causes most bone cancers, but some factors are associated with an increased risk, including: inherited genetic syndromes, Pagets disease of bone and radiation therapy for cancer.

Since, by definition, benign bone tumors do not metastasize, all secondary bone tumors are metastatic lesions which have spread from other organs, most commonly carcinomas of the breast, lung, and prostate.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Tests to diagnose bone cancer are: bone scan, Computerize Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray and biopsy.

Treatment of bone tumors is highly dependent on the type of tumor. Either way, this involves: chemotherapy and radiotherapy, medication and surgery. Amputation may be necessary. ...