Bone Cancer Brief:
As a child, you were told not to sit too close to the TV and you were warned not to spend too much time playing video games in your youth. Now as a grown adult, you have finally realized that these warnings and superstitions had some merit. For instance, did you know that bone cancer is caused by such things as prolonged exposure to X-rays during routine medical procedures? As with any disease or illness there are many sources of bone cancer.
Bone cancer is a disease in which malignant cells form in the bone, disrupting normal function of the bone and leading to persistent pain. It can happen at any age, but is most common in middle-aged adults over 40 years old. There are two main types: osteosarcoma (a type of cancerous tumor) and Ewing's sarcoma (a type from sarcoidosis).
Symptoms of bone cancer include pain, swelling, and a lump or mass in the affected area. Osteosarcoma pain is typically in the long bones of the leg or arm, whereas Ewing's sarcoma tends to be more in the back or pelvis. People with bone cancer may also experience symptoms like fatigue and fever.
Bone cancer treatments vary based on location, but may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and stem cell transplants. Many people with bone cancer can lead a full life after their treatment has been completed. Medications like antidepressant drugs called SSRIs have also been shown to reduce pain at many stages of treatment by reducing inflammation that can cause stabbing pain.
What is Ewing sarcoma? It is a rare form of bone cancer that affects children ages 9–15. The primary symptoms are usually bone pain and swelling in the affected arm or leg. Less common symptoms include loss of strength, unusual fatigue, and changes in movement.
Ewing sarcoma often starts in the long bones (legs and arms), but can spread to other types of bone such as vertebrae, pelvis, or skull bones that surround the brain. This type of cancer is so aggressive that 5-10% of patients have died within 2 years after diagnosis.
At this time, there is no known way to prevent bone cancer. To help reduce your risk, make sure you get at least 1,000 IU of vitamin D from the sun or supplements each day and get enough calcium and vitamin K, which also play a role in bone health. In addition to treatments that may be offered by your doctor such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery, there are other options like natural supplements like Vitamin D3 that can help with side effects of treatment such as fatigue.
Many of us are familiar with the different methods used to treat cancers, such as chemotherapy types, radiation therapy and surgery. But what does the future hold for those with bone cancer? What can be done for patients now? And how can we continue to improve treatments in light of new research? First of all, let’s take a closer look at bone cancer itself. There are four main types: Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma (prone to teens & young adults), chondrosarcoma (prone to people over 50) and peripheral T cell lymphoma (in children).
