Bone cancer can be divided into 2 types. Cancer that originates in the bones is known as “primary bone cancer”. This is a type of cancer that is caused directly by the bone cells. While rare, it includes osteosarcoma, which is found in pediatric patients younger than 20 years, and chondrosarcoma, which is found in adults 45 years and older and largely in the bones near the knees, upper arms and pelvis.
Meanwhile, cancer that is spread from other organs is known as “secondary cancer”. This type of cancer is spread from another organ to the bones. It is a common type of cancer and can originate from, for example, breast cancer, lung cancer, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, etc. When it spreads to the bones, it can cause the bones to become weak and break due to cancer cells damaging the bones. Calcium is broken down and enters the blood stream, leading to hypercalcemia. Cancer can spread to any bone of the body, with common sites including the spine, followed by the hip bone.
Causes of Bone Cancer
While the causes remain unclear, the factors that increase risk of bone cancer include dangers from falls, exposure to large quantities of radiation, etc. Diagnosis is possible by thoroughly reviewing the patient’s history, accompanied by physical examination and additional testing such as blood tests, urine tests and various radiological tests and biopsies for pathological testing. Once a bone cancer diagnosis is concluded, the doctor will plan treatment, assess the stage of the disease, the health of the patient and the size and location of the cancer in detail.
Bone Cancer Treatment
For primary bone cancer, treatment consists of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and treatment is considered on an individual basis, and some cases require multiple treatment approaches. In the treatment of primary bone cancer, surgery is used to remove cancerous tissues followed by the insertion of artificial joints in their place. On the other hand, the treatment of secondary cancer mainly requires that the origin of cancer is treated first, followed by choosing another treatment method that suits each patient.
