10 February 2025

Bone Cancer

Bone cancer is a health problem caused by the growth of abnormal cells in the bone. It can occur in any part of the bone. However, bone cancer is more commonly found in the pelvis, legs, and arms.

Bone cancer is a type of cancer that is categorized into four stages based on its severity.

Types of Bone Cancer
The different types of bone cancer are as follows:

1. Ewing's sarcoma: Cancer cells develop in immature bone marrow nerve tissues. Because of this, Ewing's sarcoma often occurs in children.
2. Chondrosarcoma: Cancer cells develop in cartilage. This type of bone cancer usually affects the thigh bone, pelvis, shoulder blade, arms, and ribs.
3. Osteosarcoma: Cancer cells grow at the ends of long bones.
4. Chordoma: Cancer cells develop at the base of the skull or spine.
5. Fibrosarcoma: Cancer cells grow in fibrous connective tissue. This type of bone cancer is commonly found in people over 40 years old.
6. Giant cell tumor: A benign but aggressive tumor cell growth. Giant cell tumors usually develop in bones around the knee and arm bones.

Causes of Bone Cancer
Bone cancer growth is influenced by certain gene mutations. Additionally, several factors can trigger the development of bone cancer, including:

1. Exposure to high radiation levels or radioactive substances.
2. A family history of bone cancer.
3. Bone disorders, such as Paget's disease.
4. Genetic disorders, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Werner syndrome, Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, and similar conditions.

Symptoms of Bone Cancer
Some symptoms of bone cancer that you need to be aware of include:

1. Pain and swelling in the affected bone area.
2. Unexplained bone fractures.
3. Numbness, especially if the cancer is in the bone marrow.
4. Anemia or low red blood cell count.
5. Significant and unexplained weight loss.
6. Fever.

Bone Cancer Treatment
To treat bone cancer, doctors typically perform several medical procedures, including:

Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to inhibit and destroy cancer cells.

• Radiotherapy: The use of high-energy radiation to target cancer cells.
• Surgery: The surgical removal of cancerous cells. In severe cases, amputation may be necessary.

Bone cancer is a serious health issue that can affect anyone. Therefore, it is crucial to remain vigilant and seek medical attention if any symptoms arise.

Reviewed by: dr. Innosensius Ibnu Ishwara, M.K.K.

Source: Siloam Hospital Health Article

Photo: freepik.com