Bone cancer, as the name suggests, is a type of cancer that affects the bones. This form of cancer is rare and, reportedly, makes up less than 1% of all cancer cases. However, although bone cancer is uncommon, doctors urge regular screening to detect the disease early and avoid complications associated with bone metastases, which are cancers that have spread to the bones.
July is Sarcoma and Bone Cancer Awareness Month and to mark the event, we at OnlyMyHealth interacted with Dr Vibhor Sharma, Senior Consultant and Head - BMT and Medical Oncology (Unit II), Asian Hospital, Faridabad, who shared invaluable insights around bone cancer, how it starts, what happens if and when it spreads to other body parts, and how to approach the disease.
Also Read: Bone Cancer: Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Treatment
How Primary Bone Cancer Starts
When it comes to bone cancer, it usually has no known causes, Dr Sharma said. However, the doctor shares the process by which primary bone cancer typically starts.
He explained, "When cells inside or close to a bone experience DNA alteration, bone cancer begins. The instructions for growth and multiplication in healthy cells are encoded in their DNA. The instructions specify when the cells must die. The altered DNA in cancer cells provides alternative instructions. The alterations instruct the cancer cells to divide rapidly into many more cells. While healthy cells would die, cancer cells can continue to exist."
As a result, there is an overproduction of cells, which results in a mass known as a tumour. This tumour has the potential to spread and affect other healthy bodies, leading to metastatic or advanced cancer.
Common Symptoms Of Bone Cancer
According to Dr Sharma, bone cancer often starts in the thigh bone near the knee, the shin bone near the knee, and the upper arm bone near the shoulder. He noted that these spots are more likely to develop cancer because they grow quickly and have many cells that can change into cancer cells.
Some of the common symptoms associated with bone cancer include:
- Difficulties with pain and swelling, pacing around
- Experiencing fatigue
- Having a fever
- Increased instances of fractures or cracks in the bone
- Losing weight without any known cause
However, it is important to note that these symptoms do not necessarily indicate bone cancer, which is why getting yourself examined by a doctor can help confirm your diagnosis.
Also Read: What Do We Need To Know About Our Bone Health During This Pandemic
Understanding Secondary Bone Cancer Or Bone Metastases
When the cancer starts in the bone, it is known as primary bone cancer. However, when cancer cells in any other part of the body break away and spread to the bones through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, it is called secondary bone cancer or bone metastases.
For instance, if your cancer started in the lungs but has spread to your bones, it is called a secondary cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), almost all cancers can spread to the bone, but cancers that often spread to the bones include breast, lung, prostate, kidney, melanoma, ovarian, and thyroid.
The spine is the most common site for bone metastases, which the health body shares, adding other common areas such as hip bone (pelvis), upper leg bone (femur), upper arm bone (humerus), ribs, and the skull.
Early Diagnosis Is Key
According to Dr Sharma, many bone tumours can be detected early through their symptoms and other indications.
He said, “For those with an average risk of bone cancer, there are no recommended screening tests. The majority of bone malignancies are nevertheless discovered early on, before they have obviously migrated to other bodily areas. Doctor visits are frequently prompted by symptoms like oedema or bone discomfort.”
“Doctors may advise close monitoring for patients with certain bone disorders that put them at higher risk for developing bone cancer. Sometimes early detection and effective treatment of bone cancer can be achieved by keeping an eye out for early signs and symptoms,” he concluded.