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a doctor examines an x-ray looking for bone cancer

Understanding Bone Cancer

What is Bone Cancer?

Bones make the core structure of our body. Total 200 bones are there in our body which are meant for providing support to us and holding our body. It also provides protection to the organs of our body. The number of cases of this cancer is not huge like other types but we cannot neglect the effects of it as it is very dangerous. Treatments may be highly effective if it is detected at the early stage. Two types of bone cancer exist in the world. The first one is primary bone cancer and the second one is secondary bone cancer. When the tumors originate in the bone itself it is known as primary. If the tumorous growth spreads from any other part of the body it is called as secondary. There are some other types, too. The most common type is Osteosarcoma. This type occurs in younger adults and the knees are affected by it most.

Bone Cancer Symptoms That Are Widely Found

The main causes are still unknown to us. Symptoms are linked with the position of the bone which is affected by cancerous tumor. Incidence of swelling and pain one of the most common symptoms. Bone cancer can lead to formation of lump sometimes. The tumor which is related to lump is a bit difficult to detect. Patients can feel the lump in the joints if the tumor is related to lump. It is very difficult to detect bone cancer as there are no prominent symptoms. So patients cannot go for treatments immediately.

Bone Cancer Treatments Which Have Got Effects

There are several effective bone cancer treatments invented by doctors. A number of treatments are in market today. One of the most common ways to start the treatment is to remove the bone tumor through the surgical ways. There are other two types of treatments that are widely found. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the two effective treatments. Patients are given combinational treatments to reduce the treatment time. Severity of the bone cancer is the determinant of effective treatment. Tumor might be treated very easily if they have occurred locally. If the tumors have spread and the size of the tumor is big, then it takes time to get treated. The cancer can be treated in a short time if the treatment is started immediately after the detection of it. The patient's age is also a factor for the effective treatments. The chances of recovery is dependent on many things. Surgery is the mode of treatments which can help if the severity has reached an extreme situation.

Last Updated: February 19, 2015