Bone cancer

Description bone cancer

Bone cancer is a relatively rare disease, wherein the bone cancer cells growing. Cancer occurs, when the cells of the organism (in this case bone cells) share without control and order. If cells keep dividing uncontrollably, when new cells are not needed, formed by a build-up, called tumor. Term “cancer” It refers to malignant tumors, cells that can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. Benign tumors do not spread to other organs.

Cancer may form in the bone or spread to the bone from another organ. When cancer occurs independently in bone, it is called Primary bone cancer. When cancer cells migrate into the bone tissue of other tumors, it is called secondary or metastatic bone cancer. Bone cancer types include:

• Osteosarcoma – malignant bone tumor, usually, hands, leg or pelvis; the most common type of primary cancer;
• Xondrosarkoma – cancer of the cartilage; the second most common type of primary cancer;
• Sarkoma Juinga – tumor, which usually occur in the cavity of bones and toes;
• Fibrosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma – cancer, which develops in the soft tissues (Tendon, ligaments, fat, muscle) and proceeds to the leg bones, hands and jaw;
• Giant cell tumor – Primary bone tumor, which is a malignant (cancer) only about 10% time, the most common in the arm or leg bones;
• Xordoma – Primary bone tumors, which usually occurs in the skull or spine.

The sooner treatment begins bone cancer, the more favorable outcome. If you suspect, that you have this disease, consult a physician immediately.

Causes of bone cancer

The causes of primary bone cancer is unknown. It is believed, that, in most cases, genetics plays an important role. Disease, which cause increased breakdown of bone tissue and its regeneration for a long period of time increases the risk of developing tumors. This explains, why osteosarcoma in children is most common during the adolescent growth.

Risk factors for bone cancer

Factors, which increase the likelihood of bone cancer:

• Paget's disease (a benign bone disease);
• Radiation;
• Damage to the bone (until proven risk factor);
• Family history of bone cancer.

Besides, There are risk factors, characteristic of certain types of bone cancer:

• Osteosarcoma:
  • Age: 10-30 years;
  • Paul: male;
  • Hereditary cancer syndromes, including syndromes Lee Fraument (LFS) and Rotmunda Thomson;
  • Retinoblastoma (a rare form of eye cancer);
  • Bone marrow transplantation;
• Xondrosarkoma:
  • Age: senior 20 years;
  • Multiple Exostosis (hereditary disease, which leads to the appearance of bumps on the bones);
• Sarkoma Juinga:
  • Age: younger 30 years;
• Fibrosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma:
  • Age: middle and old age;
• Giant cell tumor:
  • Age: young and middle age.

Symptoms of bone cancer

Symptoms of bone cancer vary, depending on the location and size of the tumor.

Symptoms may include:

• Pain at the site of the tumor;
• Edema, or swelling in the location of the tumor;
• Severe pain in the bones, serious enough, to wake you up;
• Fractures (rarely);
• Unexplained weight loss;
• Fatigue;
• Labored breathing;
• Fever or night sweats.

These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious diseases. If you experience any of these symptoms, should see a doctor.

Diagnosis of bone cancer

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.

Tests may include the following:

• Blood test, to check the level of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase; increased amounts of the enzyme released in patients with bone tumors and in growth in healthy children;
• Roentgen – test, which uses X-rays, to take a picture of structures inside the body, mainly bones;
• A bone scan – test, which helps determine the location of bone tumors. In the bloodstream a radioactive substance is injected, which is absorbed by bone tissue, and then tracked with a special scanner;
• CT – type of X-ray, wherein the computer is used, to make pictures of structures inside the body;
• MRT – examination, which uses magnetic waves, to make pictures of structures inside the body;
• Bone marrow biopsy – removal of a sample of bone tissue to test for cancer cells. Excisional biopsy bone tumors may mean the removal of a large part of the affected bone or limb, and sometimes partial or complete amputation of limbs, depending on the location and type of tumor.

Treatment of bone cancer

Once diagnosed with cancer, conducted tests, to determine the extent of its spread. Treatment depends on the type of, stage, localization of cancers, and the overall health. Bone cancer treatment includes the:

Radiation therapy for bone cancer

Radiation therapy for bone cancer uses radiation emissions, to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy may be of the following types:

• External radiation therapy – radiation is directed at the tumor from a radiation source outside the body;
• Internal radiation therapy – radioactive materials placed in the body near cancer cells.

Chemotherapy in cancer bone

Chemotherapy – the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be provided in various forms: tablets, injection, the introduction of a catheter. The drugs enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, killing mostly cancer, and also some healthy cells. The most common chemotherapy drugs, are used to treat bone cancer:

• Methotrexate with calcium;
• Leucovorin;
• Doxorubicin;
• Cisplatin;
• Ifosfamid;
• Etoposide.

The operation for the treatment of bone cancer

The operation involves the removal of a cancerous tumor, surrounding tissue, and, perhaps, neighboring lymph nodes. In step may require amputation, cancer patients. Possibly, the doctor will try to remove the cancerous part of the bone without amputation. In this case, the removal of a cancerous bone tissue is replaced by a metal plate or bone graft.

Sometimes, additional radiation therapy or chemotherapy can help avoid an amputation. If the tumor is large or aggressive, or the risk of spread is high, after the operation can be assigned to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, thereby preventing relapse cancer bone at the surgical site, and to prevent the spread of cancer to other organs.

Myeloablative stem cell therapy

Intensive chemotherapy for bone cancer also destroys the bone marrow. To restore the bone marrow cells used injection of stem cells, which have the ability to develop into other cell types.

Special treatment of some types of bone cancer

• Osteosarcoma – chemotherapy, used before and after surgery often able to cure osteosarkomu and helps avoid amputation;
• Sarkoma Juinga – Ewing's sarcoma is very sensitive to chemotherapy, its treatment often involves several weeks of chemotherapy followed by surgical removal or radiation therapy of tumors, and then several more months of chemotherapy;
• Fibrosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma – these diseases, usually, require surgery to remove the cancerous tumor, and 2-3 see healthy tissue, surrounding.

Prevention of bone cancer

There are no guidelines for preventing primary bone cancer. Early diagnosis and treatment increase the chance of successful recovery.