Bone Cancer

Bone cancer develops rather slowly as opposed to some of the virulent types of cancer. The first symptom most people notice first is pain or a small lump on the bone that can be felt through the skin. The lump is generally tender to the touch. Sometimes, though, the first symptom is broken bone from a minor accident. Even though these symptoms might be benign, it is always best to have them checked out by a doctor. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

When you do visit the doctor, he will take a complete family history and does a complete physical to see the patient’s general state of health. After this, the doctor will order blood work and x rays. The x rays will show the size, location, and shape of the tumor, Cancerous tumors are usually irregular edges and have odd shapes. Therefore, the doctor will know pretty quickly if bone cancer is suspected.

Next the doctor will order a bone scan to see if the tumor has spread. Bone scans will give the doctor an even better idea of what he is dealing with. The technician will inject you with a little radioactive material that will accumulate in the bones. Then a scanner is used to detect the radioactive material.

A CAT scan may also be ordered. A computer creates very detailed pictures of the bones so that the doctor will have more information to make the right diagnosis. Then the doctor will have to do a biopsy of the suspected cancerous tumor. The doctor takes out a small piece of tissue which will be read by a pathologist in a hospital. He will be able to tell the type of cancer and the speed it will probably grow.

If the diagnosis is as expected and it is cancer, then the doctor has to figure out exactly where the cancer is and whether it has migrated from the original site. Next the doctor will stage the cancer. The stage shows how much the cancer may have spread and how much tissue is affected. Staging is very important to deciding on treatment.

Treatments of bone cancer vary. Treatment ranges from surgery to radiation to chemotherapy. At this point the patient will be referred to a oncologist or cancer doctor. Surgery usually comes first when the surgeon will excise the tumor and surrounding tissue. Some part of the bone may be removed also. Some children with bone cancer in their leg have had the bone taken out and replaced with a metal rod that will grow with the child. Amazingly enough this process works by a remote device that lengthens the rod to match the child’s other leg.

Chemotherapy is used in conjunction with surgery when necessary. Usually there are three drugs used to kill the cancer cells remaining. This is usually outpatient.

Radiation therapy is used to stop the cancer cells from growing. In some cases these high energy rays are used instead of surgery to kill the cells.

Bone cancer can be treated if caught early. Like most cancers there are symptoms to watch for. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek help immediately.

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