Most of the cells in your bones grow and are replaced constantly to keep your skeletal structure strong and healthy. But just as with the cells in other parts of your body, bone cells can become cancerous. Bone cancer is relatively rare and accounts for only about 1% of all cancers.
What Is Bone Cancer?
The term cancer refers to the condition in which the DNA within certain cells has mutated in a particular way. These cells are not healthy, and these abnormal cells continue reproducing. This can cause tumors to grow, and these cancerous cells can also inhibit the growth of healthy cells.
While cancers that start in other body parts – such as the lungs, breast, or prostate – can spread (i.e., metastasize) to the bones, the term “bone cancer” refers to cancer originating in bone cells. Bone cancer usually occurs in the osteoblasts, the cells which create new bone, or the osteoclasts, the cells which clear out old bone. The most common types of bone cancer are osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma. Multiple myeloma is also sometimes considered a bone cancer; it affects the production of blood cells within the bone marrow.
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer and begins in the cells that form bone. It often develops in children and young adults, and its onset is usually marked by swelling or pain in the bone or joint where the cancer starts or by a bone that breaks for no apparent reason.
Chondrosarcoma is a rare type of bone cancer that most often occurs in middle-aged or older adults. It can start in the bone or tissue near the bone and often appears in the hip, pelvis, or shoulder. Like osteosarcoma, it is indicated by a lump or swelling and pain in the joint. If the tumor grows near the spine, it can also cause bladder or bowel problems.
Ewing sarcoma is another rare cancer that more often develops in children and teens, although it can also occur in adults. It can affect any bone but usually affects the pelvis and legs. Symptoms include pain and swelling in the affected area, bone pain, weight loss, and fatigue.
What Treatments Are Available For Bone Cancer?
The appropriate treatment for any particular case of bone cancer will depend on the following:
- Which type of bone cancer you have
- How big the tumor(s) are
- How fast the cancer is growing
- How many bones have cancerous cells
- Whether or not the cancer has spread to other areas of the body
- The exact location of the cancer
All cancers and cases are different, so you will need to create a personalized treatment plan based on what your oncologist recommends and your goals of care. There are several treatments available for bone cancer.
Surgery
Surgery is often recommended for bone cancers to remove a cancerous tumor and the tissue surrounding it. Sometimes, amputation may be necessary. In other cases, the part of the bone that is removed can be replaced with a piece of bone taken from another part of the body or by a prosthetic implant made from metal or hard plastic. For children, prosthetics may need to be replaced later in life to accommodate growth.
Radiation
Radiation therapy is used to kill cancerous cells with high-energy radioactive waves. It can be a primary method of bone cancer treatment or part of a treatment plan that is used in conjunction with other therapies; for example, radiation may be used to shrink a tumor prior to surgery. There are several types of radiation therapy, including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), proton therapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, and brachytherapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy, or anti-cancer drugs, is also available for bone cancer. Most chemotherapy treatments are administered intravenously, but more recently, next-generation sequencing and advanced molecular testing have developed chemotherapy regimens that patients can receive orally. Chemotherapy is often used in conjunction with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is an intravenous treatment that addresses cancer by stimulating your body’s immune system to fight the cancer. Immunotherapy is most often combined with other cancer therapies.
Bone Cancer Requires a Comprehensive Approach
Being diagnosed with bone cancer can cause concern and uncertainty, particularly because this type of cancer usually requires fairly aggressive medical intervention. Consequently, bone cancer treatment is most effective when patients can obtain other supportive services, such as physical therapy, financial support, and nutritional counseling. At Beacon Clinic, we provide a full range of supportive services and consultation in addition to the many medical therapies and services we provide in-house.
Our philosophy is based on continually improving the patient experience by offering our patients a comprehensive approach to the many challenges they face when dealing with cancer. We work closely with our patients in crafting treatment plans and working with the leading industry experts and medical professionals. If you have been diagnosed with bone cancer, contact Beacon Clinic to find the support you need to navigate your cancer journey.
