Bone cancer is a relatively rare type of cancer that originates in bone cells.

Bone cancer can affect any bone of the human body, but most often it occurs in the bones of the hands and feet.

There are several types of bone cancer, according to an online edition for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old Pannochka. net Some types of cancer are more common in children, others are almost always found in adults.

The term "bone cancer" does not include cancers that started in other tissues and spread to bones. Instead, such a cancer is called by the name of the original organ. For example, breast cancer with bone metastases. This category also does not include cancer of blood cells (multiple myeloma or leukemia), despite the fact that they are affected by the bone marrow inside the bones.

The causes of bone cancer The exact molecular cause of cancer is difficult to explain. Cancer begins with an error (mutation) in the cell's DNA molecule. This mutation enables the cell to grow and multiply, not succumbing to natural control mechanisms. Accumulating cancer cells eventually form a mass (tumor) that can penetrate into other tissues, poisoning the body and disrupting the work of healthy cells.

Bone cancer is divided into several types depending on the cells from which the tumor began.

The most common types of bone cancer include:.

• Osteosarcoma. This tumor begins in the bone tissue. Osteosarcoma occurs most often in children and young people.

• Chondrosarcoma. This type of tumor originates in the cells of the cartilaginous tissue and is usually detected at the ends of the bones. Chondrosarcoma almost always affects the elderly.

• Ewing's sarcoma. The mechanism of the origin of Ewing's sarcoma is not entirely clear. Scientists believe that Ewing's sarcoma originates in the nerve tissue inside the bone. Ewing sarcoma almost always occurs in children and adolescents.

Risk factors for bone cancer.

It's not entirely clear what causes bone cancer, but doctors already know at least three factors that increase the risk of this disease:.

• Hereditary genetic syndromes. Some rare syndromes, such as Lee-Fraumeni syndrome and hereditary retinoblastoma. These diseases are transmitted from generation to generation, increasing the risk of bone cancer.

• Paget's disease. This precancerous condition most often occurs in the elderly and increases the risk of bone cancer.

• Radiation therapy. The impact of high doses of radiation in the treatment of other types of cancer is an important carcinogenic factor. Radioactive radiation disrupts the stability of DNA molecules and increases the frequency of mutations, including those leading to cancer.

Symptoms of bone cancer.

Symptoms of bone cancer usually include:.

• Pain in the bones.

• Puffiness and soreness.

• Breakage of the affected bone.

• Weakness and fatigue.

• Unexplained weight loss.

Diagnosis of bone cancer.

Visualization.

It is very important to obtain an accurate image of the neoplasm, which is found in the patient.

For this, doctors can use a number of methods:.

• X-ray of the bones.

• Computed tomography (CT).

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

• Positron Emission Scanning (PET).

Each of these methods has its own advantages and contraindications. For example, MRI uses, in fact, a powerful magnet, so it is contraindicated in the presence of metal pins or debris in the body. The doctor will choose the most suitable method for a specific case.

Biopsy.

A doctor may prescribe a biopsy - taking a small piece from a tumor. This analysis is very necessary, since to determine the type of cancer it is required to examine the tumor cells in detail under a microscope, to carry out a series of analyzes.

Biopsy can be carried out by different methods:.

• Needle biopsy. In this procedure, the doctor enters through the patient's skin a special long needle, with which he takes a tissue sample.

• Surgery. During a surgical biopsy, the doctor makes an incision on the skin through which either the entire tumor is removed or only a small fragment for examination.

It would seem that the first method is definitely better - it is simple and not so painful. But only doctors can determine the type of a suitable procedure, since each method has its pros and cons.

Determination of the stage of bone cancer.

After doctors have diagnosed, it is very important to determine the stage of the disease. The further actions depend on this.

American oncologists recommend the following stages of bone cancer:.

• The first stage. At this stage, the cancer is limited to bone and does not spread to other parts of the body. A biopsy should confirm that the cancer is not aggressive. At this stage, the forecast is favorable.

• The second stage. In the second stage, the tumor is also limited by bone, but the results of the biopsy testify to the high aggressiveness of the cancer.

• The third stage. In the third stage, cancer occurs in two or more areas of the same bone. A biopsy indicates a high tumor aggressiveness.

• Fourth stage. The bone cancer at this stage has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs and brain. Forecast unfavorable.

Treatment of bone cancer The choice of treatment tactics depends on many factors, such as the type of cancer, the stage of the process, the condition of the patient and his personal preferences. Typically, bone cancer treatment includes surgical removal of the tumor, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these methods.

Surgery.

Ideally, surgical treatment should completely remove the cancerous tumor. To do this, the surgeons remove the cancer and surrounding tissues to keep nothing. But even the best surgeon is unlikely to remove all cancer cells. Therefore, "kill" the cancer needs with the help of radiation or chemotherapy.

In surgical treatment is sometimes necessary to remove the bones (amputated limb), sometimes fails to retain bone replacing the lost fragment metal prosthesis or a bone from another part of the body.

Radiation therapy.

Radiation therapy of cancer uses high energy directed beams, similar to X-rays. These rays destroy rapidly dividing cancer cells.

During irradiation, the patient usually lies on the table, and a special high-precision radiator rotates around him, aiming the rays exactly in the tumor. The emitter is guided by a computer that targets it in three planes, so the rays reach the tumor and cause minimal harm to healthy tissues.

Radiation therapy can be used in patients who are contraindicated in surgery. Often this method kills the remaining cancer cells after surgical treatment. People with the last stage of cancer radiation therapy may extend life a little and alleviate the symptoms of the disease.

Chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy for cancer is a method based on the intake of special, highly toxic drugs for cells. Chemotherapeutic agents are most often used intravenously.

These drugs, along with radiotherapy, help kill the remnants of a tumor after surgery. Chemotherapy is performed before surgery to make the tumor operable (reduce its size). Also, this method can slow down the development of the disease in people with severe bone cancer.

Drugs for chemotherapy have so many serious side effects. They can lower the level of blood cells, drop hair, etc.. A doctor can choose a suitable treatment regimen, taking into account the characteristics of the patient.

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