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Bone Cancer

Bone Cancer

Bone cancer is cancer originating from the long bones of the body, more commonly from the long bones of the pelvis, arms or legs. Bone cancers are quite rare, accounting for less than 1 percent of all cancers. Benign bone tumours are known to be more common than malignant ones. The term "bone cancer" includes cancers that begin in the bones. It does not include metastatic cancers that spread from other body parts to the bones. Some bone cancers occur exclusively in children, while other types mostly affect adults.

  • Pain in the bones
  • Swelling and tenderness at and near the affected area
  • Weak bones that fracture very easily
  • Tiredness
  • Unexplained, unintended weight loss

If you experience the symptoms mentioned above persistently to the point that it worries you, you can visit Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Navi Mumbai and get an appointment with an expert doctor.

Like many other cancers, the exact cause of most bone cancers is not known. A few types of bone cancers are associated with hereditary factors, while a few others are related to previous radiation exposure.

Bone cancers are classified into various types based on their location and the types of bone cells involved.

  • Osteosarcoma
    It is the commonest variant of bone cancer, occurring most commonly in children and young adults in either the leg bones or the arm bones.
  • Chondrosarcoma
    It is the second most common type of bone cancer, in which the cancerous cells produce cartilage. It usually affects the pelvic bone or the arm or leg bones of middle-aged people and older adults.
  • Ewing sarcoma
    It occurs in the pelvic, arms or legs bones of children and young adults.
  • Inherited genetic conditions
    Certain rare inherited syndromes like Li-Fraumeni syndrome and hereditary retinoblastoma increase the risk of bone cancer.
  • Paget's disease of bone
    It occurs most commonly in older adults and is associated with higher chances of developing bone cancer later.
  • Previous exposure to radiation therapy
    Exposure to large doses of radiation given as a part of treatment for previous cancers increases the risk of developing bone cancers.
  • Imaging tests
    Certain imaging tests like bone scan, computerised tomography or CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging or MRI, positron emission tomography or PET scan, and X-ray are done to determine the location, size and the extent of spread of bone tumours.
  • Biopsy
    A sample of the suspected tissue may be removed and sent for histopathological examination. A biopsy is either done to confirm the presence of cancer cells or to determine the type and aggressiveness of cancer.

After the diagnosis of cancer is established, tests are done to stage it. Staging of tumours is very important to form a treatment plan appropriate for the stage and predict the prognosis. The stages of bone cancer are denoted by Roman numerals, ranging from 0 to IV. Stage 0 indicates that the tumour is small and less aggressive, while stage IV indicates that the cancer is more aggressive and has spread to other body parts. The following factors are considered while staging the bone cancers:

  • Tumour size
  • Rate of growth of the cancerous cells
  • Metastasis of cancer to distant body parts
  • The number of bones affected

If you are looking for the best Bone Cancer treatment hospital in Navi Mumbai, your search is over. Our oncology team comprises the best doctors for Bone Tumours in Navi Mumbai who combine the quality and technology of the state-of-the-art equipment with the experience and skill of the medical staff. The treatment plan for bone cancer depends on the type of cancer, its stage, and the extent of spread.

Surgery

The objective of surgery is to resect the whole cancerous tumour. Special techniques are used to remove the tumour in one single piece, along with a margin of healthy tissue surrounding it. The lost bone is then replaced with a bone from another part of the body, with material derived from a bone bank or a replacement made of metal and other materials. Very large bone tumours or those located in a complicated point on the bone may require amputation, a surgery that removes a complete limb.

  • Chemotherapy
    It involves the use of strong anti-cancer drugs called chemotherapeutic agents, usually delivered intravenously to destroy the cancer cells. This treatment works better for some types of bone cancer than for others. For example, chemotherapy does not prove very effective for chondrosarcoma, but it is quite beneficial for the treatment of osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma.
  • Radiation therapy
    This therapy uses high-powered rays of energy from sources such as X-rays and protons to destroy cancer cells. During radiation therapy, the patient is asked to lie on a table while a special machine revolves around and aims the energy beams at precise points on his body. Radiation therapy is often used before surgery to shrink the tumour and make it easier to remove. It may also be recommended post-surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells. For patients with advanced bone cancers, radiation therapy is used to relieve the signs and symptoms, including pain.

We at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Navi Mumbai acknowledge that a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming and frightening, but you will find ways to cope with the negative feelings with time. Until then, learning enough about the cancer you have and looking at the various treatment options and their prognosis might help you. You can ask your doctor questions regarding your condition, including your test results and the treatment options. It may help you be more confident in making decisions about the treatment plan. You can also consider joining support groups and meeting with people who are suffering from or have recovered from the same cancer as you. Keep your friends, and family members close and do not hesitate to share your emotional problems with them. Also, do not hesitate to share your symptoms and mental health problems with the oncology team at our hospital throughout the treatment journey. There are medicines available for every symptom, so you do not need to tolerate those unnecessarily. The oncology team at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Navi Mumbai not only to treat your physical symptoms but also to ensure your mental and emotional well being at all times.