Bone cancer is a relatively rare condition, affecting only 2,000 people in the United States each year. Keeping up to date on the symptoms of both basic and advanced bone cancers can help you to know when a visit to the doctor's office is in your best interest.
Bone Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute and MedicineNet.com, bone cancer is any cancer that originates within the bones, acting to destroy "normal" bone tissue. There are three main types of bone cancer, categorized by the type of bone in which they first appear. These include osteosarcoma (most often appearing in the bones of the upper arm and thigh, along with the knee), chondrosarcoma (occurring in the pelvic region, upper leg and shoulders), and Ewing's Sarcoma (appearing in the hips and spine, but most commonly in the long bones of the legs and arms).
Basic Symptoms
Bone cancer does not always have noticeable specific symptoms. However, general symptoms of cancer include fever, chills, night sweats or feelings of malaise. An additional symptom to be wary of is any swelling which occurs near or around the bones.
Advanced Symptoms
As bone cancer develops, one common complaint is localized pain in and around the bones. This occurs due to the cancer's spread into the bone marrow, a process known as metastasis. Other advanced symptoms include unexplained weight loss; losing 10 or more pounds without a noticeable reason should prompt an immediate visit to your doctor.
Effects
One of the most prevalent and insidious effects stemming from bone cancer is a general weakening of the bones. As the cancerous tissue replaces ordinary bone tissue, the overall structural integrity of the bone becomes compromised, leaving the patient more susceptible to fractures in and around the affected area. While calcium supplements can help with this, nothing can fully insulate against some level of bone weakness.
Considerations
If the cancer is located on a weight-bearing bone such as the thighbone, the patient might have to pre-emptively use a wheelchair or have surgery performed to remove the affected bone before the disease spreads further. While not every incident of bone pain is indicative of bone cancer, where localized pain is coupled with one or more of the aforementioned symptoms, make a doctor's appointment as soon as possible.
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