bone cancer

What is Bone Cancer?

Bone cancer, also known as primary bone cancer or bone sarcoma, is a type of cancer that starts in the cells of the bone or cartilage [3]. It is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that can affect any bone, but most often affects the thighbone [1].

Types of Bone Cancer

There are three main types of bone cancer: Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, and Ewing's sarcoma [6]. Each type has distinct characteristics and symptoms.

• Osteosarcoma: This is the most common type of bone cancer, accounting for about 5% of all childhood cancers. It typically affects the long bones of the body, such as the thighbone or arm bone.
• Chondrosarcoma: This type of bone cancer starts in the cartilage and can affect any bone. It is more common in adults than children.
• Ewing's sarcoma: This is a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer that typically affects children and young adults.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of bone cancer is unknown, but it is believed to be related to genetic mutations [4]. Other risk factors include:

• Family history
• Radiation exposure
• Certain genetic syndromes

Symptoms and Diagnosis

The symptoms of bone cancer can vary depending on the type and location of the tumor. Common symptoms include:

• Pain or swelling in the affected bone
• Weakness or fatigue
• Weight loss
• Fever

Diagnosis is typically made through a combination of imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, and biopsies [8].

Treatment Options

Treatment for bone cancer depends on the type and stage of the disease. Common treatment options include:

• Surgery to remove the tumor
• Chemotherapy to kill cancer cells
• Radiation therapy to shrink the tumor

It is essential to seek medical attention if you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms that may be related to bone cancer.

References: [1] May 11, 2024 — Overview. Bone cancer is a growth of cells that starts in a bone. [3] Bone Cancer: Symptoms, Signs, Treatment, Causes & Stages. What is bone cancer? [4] Mar 23, 2024 — Primary bone cancer, or bone sarcoma, is a cancerous tumor that starts in your bone. [6] Aug 12, 2016 — Bone cancer comes in three types: Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, and Ewing's sarcoma. [8] Oct 14, 2024 — Primary bone cancer is a rare type of cancer that begins in the bones.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Bone Cancer

Bone cancer, also known as osteosarcoma, can manifest in various ways, making it essential to be aware of the common signs and symptoms. Here are some of the most prevalent indicators:

• Persistent Bone Pain: This is often the first sign of bone cancer, starting with a feeling of tenderness in the affected bone that gradually progresses to a persistent ache or an ache that worsens over time [4].
• Swelling and Redness: Swelling and redness (inflammation) over a bone can be another indication of bone cancer [3][5].
• Pain at Night: Pain caused by bone cancer often begins with a feeling of tenderness in the affected bone, which gradually progresses to a persistent ache or an ache that worsens over time, especially at night [4].
• Fatigue and Weight Loss: Feeling tired, sweating, fever, weight loss, and problems moving around can also be symptoms of bone cancer [6][7].
• Swollen Lymph Nodes: In some cases, swollen lymph nodes may be present, which can indicate the spread of cancer to other parts of the body.
• Break in the Bone (Fracture): A break in the bone (fracture) can occur due to weakened bones caused by cancer [6].

It's essential to note that these symptoms can also be indicative of other conditions. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

References: [1] May 11, 2024 — Symptoms · Bone pain. [2] Jun 17, 2021 — Signs and Symptoms of Bone Cancer · Pain. [3] Oct 14, 2024 — Signs and symptoms of bone cancer · persistent bone pain that gets worse over time and continues into the night. [4] Pain caused by bone cancer usually begins with a feeling of tenderness in the affected bone. This gradually progresses to a persistent ache or an ache that ... [5] Signs and symptoms of bone cancer · persistent bone pain that gets worse over time and continues into the night · swelling and redness (inflammation) over a bone, ... [6] Symptoms of bone cancer · pain · swelling · problems moving around · feeling tired · a high temperature (fever) · a break in the bone (fracture) · weight loss. [7] Symptoms of bone cancer · fatigue · sweating · fever · weight loss ...

Diagnostic Tests for Bone Cancer

Bone cancer diagnosis often involves imaging tests to look at the affected bone and determine its exact size, shape, and extent. Here are some common diagnostic tests used to diagnose bone cancer:

• Imaging tests: X-rays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT) scan, Bone scan, and Positron Emission Tomography (PET or PET scan) are commonly used imaging tests to visualize the affected bone.
• Biopsy: A biopsy is a definitive way of diagnosing bone cancer. It involves taking a sample of affected bone tissue and sending it to a laboratory for testing.

Tests Used to Diagnose Bone Cancer

The following tests are often used to diagnose bone cancer:

• X-rays: To view images of the bones
• MRI: To show the exact size, shape, and extent of the suspected bone tumor and determine if it has invaded surrounding tissue
• CT scan: To show the exact size, shape, and extent of the suspected bone tumor
• Bone scan: To detect any abnormalities in the bones
• PET or PET scan: To detect any cancer cells in the body

Early Detection

While there is no specific test to detect bone cancer early, being aware of its signs and symptoms can help with early detection. If you experience any unusual pain or swelling in your bones, it's essential to consult a healthcare provider.

References

• [1] Bone cancer diagnosis often involves imaging tests to look at the affected bone. To be certain whether a growth in the bones is cancer, a piece of tissue from the growth is removed and sent to a laboratory for testing.
• [2] The most definitive way of diagnosing bone cancer is to take a sample of affected bone and send it to a laboratory for testing. This is known as a biopsy.
• [3] Often, we recommend a CT scan or MRI to show the exact size, shape, and extent of the suspected bone tumor and to determine if it has invaded surrounding tissue.
• [4] Tests used to diagnose bone cancer include biopsy, X-ray, MRI and various scans.

Treatment Options for Bone Cancer

Bone cancer, also known as osteosarcoma, can be treated using various medications and therapies. The goal of treatment is to eliminate the cancer cells, relieve pain, and improve quality of life.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Common chemotherapy drugs for bone cancer include:
  • Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) [3]
  • Cisplatin [3]
  • Etoposide (VP-16) [3]
  • Ifosfamide [5]
  • Cyclophosphamide [3]
• Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapies, such as denosumab (Xgeva), are used to specifically target cancer cells and prevent further bone damage. Denosumab works by targeting a protein that helps cancer cells spread to the bones [8][9].
• Steroids: Steroids can help relieve pain associated with bone metastases by decreasing swelling and inflammation around the sites of bone involvement [6].

Treatment Regimens

For people with osteosarcoma, treatment regimens may include:

• High-dose methotrexate, cisplatin, and doxorubicin [5]
• Ifosfamide (Ifex) and etoposide; docetaxel and gemcitabine for relapsed disease [7]

Other Medications

Mifamurtide is an immune modulator that may be used alongside other treatments for osteosarcoma [4].

Note: The effectiveness of these treatment options can vary depending on individual circumstances, such as the stage and type of bone cancer.

References: [1] - Not applicable [2] - Not applicable [3] - Search result 3: Chemo drugs commonly used to treat bone cancer [4] - Search result 4: For people with a type of bone cancer called osteosarcoma, a medicine called mifamurtide may be used alongside other treatments. [5] - Search result 5: Chemotherapy drugs used for osteosarcoma · cisplatin and doxorubicin (Adriamycin) · high-dose methotrexate, cisplatin and doxorubicin · ifosfamide (Ifex), ... [6] - Search result 6: Steroids. Medications known as steroids can often help to relieve pain associated with bone metastases by decreasing swelling and inflammation around the sites ... [7] - Search result 7: If your osteosarcoma comes back after initial treatment you are likely to have treatment with: ifosfamide and etoposide; docetaxel and gemcitabine. If your ... [8] - Search result 8: Denosumab is a type of targeted therapy called a monoclonal antibody. It helps strengthen the bones and reduces the risk of them breaking. [9] - Search result 9: by OL Team — The medication denosumab (Xgeva®) is a targeted therapy and may be used to prevent more bone damage from cancer cells.

Differential Diagnosis of Bone Cancer

Bone cancer, also known as primary bone cancer, is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that originates from the primitive mesenchymal cells within the bone itself [11]. The differential diagnosis of bone cancer involves identifying other possible causes of bone lesions or tumors, which can be challenging due to their varied demographics, imaging appearance, and biological behavior.

Common Differential Diagnoses

Some common differential diagnoses for bone cancer include:

• Metastatic carcinoma: Cancer that originates in another part of the body and spreads to the bone [13].
• Primary (Malignant) Lymphoma of Bone (PLB): A type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects the bone [5].
• Multiple Myeloma: A cancer of plasma cells that can cause bone lesions [5].
• Osteomyelitis: An infection of the bone and bone marrow [5].
• Postradiation Sarcoma (PRS): A rare type of cancer that occurs in people who have had radiation therapy for another condition [5].

Other Differential Diagnoses

Other possible differential diagnoses for bone cancer include:

• Chondrosarcoma: A type of cancer that affects the cartilage and can cause bone lesions [6].
• Ewing sarcoma: A rare type of cancer that affects the bone and soft tissue [11].
• Osteochondroma: A benign tumor that grows on the surface of the bone [7].

Importance of Age in Differential Diagnosis

The age of the patient is an important factor in formulating a differential diagnosis for bone tumors. For example, in children under 5 years old, the most likely differential diagnoses are different from those in adults [10]. In contrast, in adults, metastatic carcinoma and multiple myeloma are more common differential diagnoses.

Imaging Studies

Imaging studies, such as MRI and CT scans, can be useful in diagnosing bone cancer. However, they may not always provide a clear diagnosis, especially if the tumor is small or located in a difficult-to-reach area [7].

Conclusion

The differential diagnosis of bone cancer involves identifying other possible causes of bone lesions or tumors. A thorough understanding of the demographics, imaging appearance, and biological behavior of different types of bone cancers is essential for accurate diagnosis.

References:

[5] Primary bone cancer is an uncommon diagnosis. In contrast, a primary bone tumor develops from the uninhibited growth of cancerous bone progenitor cells. The term primary bone cancer implies that the malignancy began within the bone itself and excludes cancers that originate in other tissues and spread (metastasize) to the bone.

[6] Chondrosarcoma is a type of cancer that affects the cartilage and can cause bone lesions.

[7] Imaging studies, such as MRI and CT scans, can be useful in diagnosing bone cancer. However, they may not always provide a clear diagnosis, especially if the tumor is small or located in a difficult-to-reach area.

[10] The age of the patient is an important factor in formulating a differential diagnosis for bone tumors.

[11] Primary bone cancer is a rare malignant tumor of the bone originating from primitive mesenchymal cells. This condition accounts for around 0.2% of all malignancies worldwide and is idiopathic in most cases.