Bone cancer is one of the uncommon types of cancer. It occurs when bone cells grow and develop abnormally. Bone pain is a common bone cancer Symptom. As for other symptoms, they vary according to the affected area and the size of the cancer. However, the appearance of these symptoms does not necessarily mean cancer. As it can appear for various other reasons, such as the bones being affected by diseases such as arthritis or osteoporosis, or their exposure to damage due to injury, it is necessary to see a doctor to accurately diagnose the condition and receive the necessary treatment.
Bone cancer Symptoms
The affected person may suffer from some symptoms resulting from it, which may reduce his ability to carry out his life activities, such as pain, swelling of the affected area, especially if it is close to the joint, and an increased risk of fractures due to weak bones, so it is necessary to seek health care if bone pain increases. At night or with movement, to conduct some medical examinations, diagnose the condition accurately, and treat it correctly, bone cancer Symptoms include the following:
Pain in the bones:
Pain is one of the most common signs of early bone cancer, and a person may feel pain when pressing on the affected bone (Bone Tenderness), and the intensity of the pain may range from severe or mild pain, and this pain may be continuous or appear and go away, and the pain often worsens at night or while taking a break.
At first, the pain is not constant and may increase at night and intensify when moving. For example, there may be pain in the leg when walking, and when cancer grows, the pain becomes continuous and increases with activities. It may lead to lameness when walking, and it may involve the bones in the following areas:
- The back
- The pelvis.
- Arms and legs.
- Ribs.
Although most of the body’s bones are affected by cancer, it usually develops regularly within the long bones. such as the legs and upper arms, and the intensity of the pain is noted with the growth of the cancerous tumor inside the affected bones, and at times the patient may ignore the pain because he believes that it is pain caused by bone growth in children and adolescents, or he may think that it is a sign of arthritis in the case of an adult.
It should be noted that bone pain may be caused by diseases other than bone cancer, such as injuries or arthritis. However, if these problems persist for a long time without knowing the cause, you should see a doctor.
Swelling of the affected area
The patient may suffer from swelling or stiffness in the affected area, especially if it is close to the joint, and often the affected area does not swell until several weeks after feeling the pain, with swelling or a prominent mass as a bone cancer Symptoms and the joints surrounding the tumor may become stiff and difficult to move.
In some cancers that affect the bones of the neck, the patient may notice a swelling or lump in the back of the throat, and as a result, he may suffer from difficulty swallowing and some respiratory problems.
Fractures
Fractures are bone cancer Symptoms, as bone cancer causes bones to weaken; which may lead to fractures sometimes, and then the person feels a sudden sharp pain in one of the limbs that have been suffering from pain for a few months due to cancer.
Previously swollen and painful bones can fracture; As cancer cells weaken bone density, and this fracture may occur spontaneously, or after an accident or a fall on it, and some radiation treatments may help reduce damage to the bones, and the attending physician may perform surgery to support the weak bone with a metal rod, and in the event of a bone fracture, it will be Surgically replaced with a solid steel piece.
lack of movement
A person with bone cancer may experience difficulty in movement during daily activities, and this may be due to pain and swelling in the affected area, and it is indicated that this symptom is evident in the event of an injury to the bones near the joints.
Other symptoms In addition to the above-mentioned symptoms, other symptoms may appear in some cases for a person with bone cancer, including the following:
- Fever.
- Anemia in some rare cases.
- Fatigue and exhaustion.
- Lameness.
- Sudden weight loss.
- Night sweats.
- General tiredness and exhaustion.
- If bone cancer spreads to other organs such as the lung, the patient may have breathing problems.
- Feeling of numbness, tingling, and weakness in cases of bone cancer of the spine, because cancer may cause pressure on the nerves.
It is worth noting that the symptoms of secondary bone cancer are usually similar to the symptoms of primary bone cancer.
What are the stages of bone cancer?
Bone cancer is divided into several stages, where each stage indicates the severity of cancer and the extent of its spread, and this helps in a proper diagnosis of the condition and the development of an accurate treatment plan.
Here are the four stages of bone cancer:
- Stage I: Bone cancer at this stage is in the bone cells only and has not spread to other areas.
- Stage II: Bone cancer does not spread at this stage, but it may become invasive and threaten the surrounding tissues.
- Stage III: In this stage, cancer has spread to one or more areas of the bone.
- Stage IV: Cancer spreads in this stage of cancer to the surrounding tissues and spreads to other organs such as the lungs or the brain.
At this stage, cancer may spread from the bones to other areas of the body through the blood or the lymphatic system. Here, other symptoms of cancer appear according to the area in which it has spread, in addition to the bone cancer Symptoms.
Tips for living with bone cancer
Some tips are recommended to be followed to live with bone cancer:
- Supporting the patient by involving him in psychological support groups and participating in several different activities.
- Follow-up treatment periodically with the doctor, and follow-up examinations are necessary to track the course of the disease.
- Supporting the patient’s family and educating them about the signs and bone cancer Symptoms, the side effects of some medications the patient is taking, and how they can be overcome.
How can bone cancer be prevented?
There is no specific pattern that can prevent bone cancer, but lifestyle changes and avoiding risk factors that increase the chance of developing bone cancer contribute to reducing its incidence.
Complications of bone cancer
Complications of bone cancer may include:
- Spread of cancer to other areas.
- Exacerbation of bone cancer Symptoms, such as chronic bone pain and fractures, which hinders the performance of daily activities.
- Complications caused by chemotherapy and radiation.