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Bone Cancer

Many other cancers are more common than bone cancer, which represents less than one percent of all cancers. Bone tissue might be attacked by cancer cells originating from other cancers within the body and will be called by the name of the organ where the cancer originated. While heredity will play a small role in the development of bone cancer, the most likely cause is cancer treatment in another part of the body. To understand bone cancer, consider the facts, bone cancer symptoms, causes, tests, and bone cancer treatments to find the best ways to combat the disease.

Overview and Facts

Within the United States approximately 2300 cases of primary bone cancer are diagnosed in a year. Benign bone cancer tumors are more common than malignant tumors, which will spread rapidly. The malignant tumor that develops in the bone tissue is called primary bone cancer, which is very rare in comparison to other forms of cancer. Benign tumors do not destroy healthy bone tissue and do not pose a threat to life. The benign tumor must be removed through surgical procedure, and treatment has a high success rate. The three types of bone cancer are:

• Osteosarcoma – Most commonly develops in the upper arm and the knee joint, and this form of cancer develops in the osteoid bone tissue.
• Chondrosarcoma – Develops most often in the pelvis, shoulder, or thigh and attacks the cartilaginous tissue that pads the ends of bones and lines the joints.
• Ewing Sarcoma Family of Tumors (ESFTs) – Occur in the arms, legs, pelvis, and along the backbone and can occur in bone tissue or soft tissue, including: supporting tissue, blood vessels, fat, muscle, and fibrous tissues. This is the most misunderstood form of bone cancer, but scientists believe primitive nerve tissue elements are present in the tissue or bone and cause this form to develop.

Signs and Symptoms

Bone cancer symptoms include swelling and persistent pain that is not of the usual type to cause discomfort. Pain in or near a bone can indicate injury as well, so pain should not be ignored because it is the body’s warning sign of illness. Consistent pain must be followed-up by a medical professional, who can look closely at the body and determine if the real source of the pain one of many bone cancer signs.

Causes and Diagnosis

Primary bone cancer rarely develops in the body, but most likely has its roots in heredity. Most cancer in bone tissue develops from the use of cancer treatments in other parts of the body. Therapy using high-dose external radiation or the use of certain anti-cancer drugs used to fight brain, liver, breast, or any other type of cancer can cause bone cancer to develop months or even years after the treatment has been completed. People who have had implants to repair fractures have developed bone cancer later.
When other cancer treatments are the trigger for the development of bone cancer, pain is the precursor, but the bone cancer is normally found in the course of follow-up tests associated with the original cancer.

Tests and Treatments

Doctors will use X-rays, including: bone scans, CAT scan, PET scan, and an angiogram, which is an x-ray of the blood vessels, to take a very close look at any abnormal growth on a bone. Each of these tests is non-invasive and performed prior to performing biopsy, which means taking sample the cells within the anomalous growth. Orthopedic oncologists are the most experienced physicians to perform the biopsy.
Treatments for bone cancer include surgical procedures to remove all possible evidence of the growth and any cancerous cells around the borders. Chemotherapy drugs are used to eradicate cancer cells, but chemo is not used as treatment of chondrosarcoma. Radiation therapy can be used to treat chondrosarcoma and ESFTs. The use of liquid nitrogen, called cryosurgery, sometimes substitutes for surgery to kill the tumor cells.

Tips and Home Remedies

When a bone cancer diagnosis is given, immediately make diet changes to eliminate all processed foods, dairy products, wheat, corn, and preservatives. The goal is to simplify the diet to be made up of natural foods that are easy to digest so that all nutrients can be absorbed from the food and be used to heal the body. Add foods that are high in the Vitamin-B series of vitamins, including: grains, sea vegetables, and beans. Anti-oxidant rich foods like squash, tomatoes, cherries, and grapes will help the body to absorb the free radicals generated by cancer treatments. Consume a high-quality calcium supplement to support the bones. Omega-3 fatty acids are the building blocks to many of the body’s functions and can aid in healing. Vitamin C in moderate doses will enhance the body’s immune system to ward off other diseases. Co-enzyme Q10 provides muscular support to reduce weakness caused by the treatment of the bone cancer.
Seek out the best medical facility with the best oncologist teams to treat the cancer, and determine in your heart that you are going to beat the disease and live a long life. Positive attitude will play a significant role in recovery from bone cancer.