Bone cancer is the uncontrolled division of cells in the bones . In bone cancer, abnormal cells multiply out of control. They destroy healthy tissue and can endanger the person’s life. Cancerous tumors that originate in bone are uncommon, particularly in adults. Such cancers occur most frequently in children and young adults. However, cancers that arise in other parts of the body can spread to the bone. These cancers are distinct from cancers arising in the bone.
There are several types of bone cancer. The most common type is called osteosarcoma. Other types of bone cancer include chondrosarcoma (cancer of cartilage cells), Ewing’s sarcoma, and giant cell tumor of bone.
Osteosarcoma typically appears as a mass of abnormal bone or tissue in the arm or leg , usually near the knee or shoulder . Such tumors also develop less often in the bones of the pelvis , jaw, or ribs . Up to 20 percent of osteosarcomas have metastasized (spread to another part of the body) by the time they are detected. They most often spread to the lungs .
Osteosarcoma symptoms include persistent pain and swelling in an arm or leg, especially near the knee or shoulder. Pain may occur at rest, even waking the person from sleep. The symptoms may be mistaken at first for a sprain or other sports injury, particularly in active teenagers. A firm lump may also appear on an arm or leg. The lump may be tender to the touch.
Diagnosing osteosarcoma can be difficult. Doctors will often consider a sports injury to be causing the pain or discomfort. However, an X ray examination usually reveals certain characteristic abnormalities suggesting cancer. The diagnosis of bone cancer is confirmed by a biopsy . In a biopsy, a surgeon removes a sample of tissue from the body, in this case from the bone. Experts then examine the tissue with a microscope, looking for cancer cells. Bone cancers commonly spread to the lungs, so doctors usually perform other studies to determine if the cancer has spread.
In most cases, osteosarcoma is treated using a three-step approach that includes chemotherapy (use of strong medications to kill the cancer cells), surgery, and radiation therapy. Surgeons removing the tumor try to preserve the limb where the cancer is found. Cancerous tumors that have spread to the lung may also be surgically removed. Radiation treatments may be used to kill cancerous cells and tumors that remain after chemotherapy and surgery.
If osteosarcoma affects only one limb, the patient has a good chance of recovery. However, fewer than half of patients survive long-term if the cancer has spread to the lungs.
See also Cancer .
