Bone Cancer By: Denis Mazur
Bone cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor of the bone that destroys normal bone tissue (1). Not all bone tumors are malignant. In fact, benign (noncancerous) bone tumors are more common than malignant ones. Both malignant and benign bone tumors may grow and compress healthy bone tissue, but benign tumors do not spread, do not destroy bone tissue, and are rarely a threat to life.
• According to the National Cancer Institute, USA, it is estimated that by the end of 2010 there will have been 2, 650 new cases and 1, 450 deaths from cancer of the bones and joints. The National Health Service (NHS), UK, informs that primary bone cancer accounts for 1 in every 500 cancers in the United Kingdom. There approximately 500 cases of bone cancer each year in the UK, making this kind of cancer a fairly rare one.
There are five types of Bone Cancer Osteosarcoma Chordoma Spindle cell sarcoma Ewing’s sarcoma Chondrosarcoma
What are the causes of bone cancer? • Nobody knows in general what the causes of bone cancer are. Patients with chronic (long-term) inflammatory diseases, such as Paget's disease are at a significantly higher risk of developing bone cancer later on in life. However, nobody can explain why one person gets bone cancer while another one doesn't. It is not contagious - you cannot catch it from someone else.
The following groups of people may be at a higher risk of developing bone cancer Being a child or very young adult - most cases of bone cancer occur in children or young adults aged up to 20. Babies born with an umbilical hernia. People with Li. Fraumeni syndrome - a rare genetic condition. Individuals with hereditary renoblastoma - a type of eye cancer that most commonly affects very young children. Patients who have received radiation therapy (radiotherapy). People with a history of Paget's disease. People with a close relative (parent or sibling) who has/had bone cancer.
Bone cancer diagnosed by: Bone scan Positron emission tomography (PET) Computerized tomography (CT) X-rays Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Bone biopsy
There are three types of treatment for Bone Cancer Surgery Radiation therapy Chemotherapy
Surgery
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
