Symptom of bone cancer. How many live with bone cancer?

Oncological bone diseases in modern medical practice are relatively rare. Such diseases are diagnosed only in 1% of cancers of the body. But many people are interested in questions about why such a disease occurs, and what is the main symptom of bone cancer. After all, the sooner a diagnosis is made and the treatment is started, the higher the chances of a successful recovery.

Cancer of the skeleton and the causes of their occurrence

Unfortunately, the causes of the primary malignant degeneration of bone and cartilage cells are still in the process of investigation. Nevertheless, there is evidence that genetic inheritance matters in this case. In particular, genetic diseases such as the syndromes of Lee-Faumen and Rothmund-Thomson increase the risk of bone damage.

On the other hand, oncological diseases can also develop under the influence of external factors. Approximately 40% of cases of cancerous lesions of the skeleton develop after injuries and fractures of bones. To malignant degeneration results in exposure to the body of radioactive radiation, as well as poisoning with compounds of strontium and radium. In some people, the cancer developed after a bone marrow transplant.

Classification of bone cancer

With oncological diseases of the skeleton, the tumor develops either from bone or cartilaginous structures. In addition, the disease can be both primary and secondary. Primary cancer is most often diagnosed in young and even childhood. Secondary tumors are metastases formed by the migration of malignant cells from other parts of the body. Metastases in the bone are possible with hemangioma, lipoma, reticulosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, etc.

In addition, bone tumors can be both benign and malignant (this is important, since the main symptom of bone cancer will depend on the nature of the tumor):

1. A benign tumor has clear boundaries and is usually of the correct form. Such a neoplasm is considered relatively safe, since it does not produce metastasis, although in some cases the cells can be regenerated. The processes of cell division and tumor growth are slow. To such diseases carry an osteoma and a chondrome.
2. Malignant neoplasms are characterized by rapid and aggressive growth. The tumor has no clear boundaries and easily sprouts into the surrounding tissue. Such diseases are often accompanied by metastasis and result in the death of the patient.

Benign tumors of bones and their symptoms

It is worth noting that most often this disease is diagnosed at a young age (20 - 30 years), with men subject to it more than the female. As already mentioned, benign neoplasms are less dangerous, but this does not mean that treatment is not required here. So what's the first symptom of bone cancer ?

In fact, the initial stages of the disease in most cases are asymptomatic. Only in later stages can there be some external signs. In particular, sometimes on the bone it is possible to feel an uncharacteristic densification, which is perfectly felt through the skin. But the pain appears rarely - exceptions are only those cases when the neoplasm greatly increases in size, the surviving nerve fibers or blood vessels.

Sometimes the tumor grows so much that it is visible to the naked eye. But, importantly, the skin over the neoplasm does not change.

What are the symptoms of bone cancer?

The appearance of a malignant tumor is characterized by a more aggressive course, and therefore the clinical picture here is more pronounced. Pain is the main symptom of bone cancer. Patients often complain of drawing and aching pains, which can either be localized in the area of the lesion or spread to other parts of the body (for example, if the shoulder is damaged, tenderness may occur in the hand).

The intensive growth of malignant neoplasm and the spread of metastases lead to exhaustion of the body, the appearance of weakness, a sharp decrease in weight. As in the previous case, the tumor can sometimes be probed through the skin, but it has no clear boundaries. The skin above the affected part of the skeleton becomes pale and thin, and the translucent venous network gives the tissues a marbled pattern.

Cancer of the foot bone: symptoms and features

Approximately 60% of cases in patients with bone cancer are diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma. It is a malignant tumor that most often affects the tubular bones of the foot. A similar disease is diagnosed in adolescents and young people aged 10 to 25 years. In particular, such a neoplasm develops during a period of intensive growth and puberty, and boys are more prone to this disease.

Typically, the tumor is formed in the growth zone, for example near the knee or at the lower end of the femur. Constant pain, which is aggravated by walking, temporary lameness, weakness and a sharp decrease in weight - these are the main symptoms of leg bone cancer. In the absence of treatment metastasis is observed, with the lungs primarily affected.

Cancer of the pelvic bones: symptoms and description of the disease

The pelvic bones are most often affected by the malignant sarcoma of Jung. This disease is characterized by malignant course, rapid growth of the tumor and the spread of malignant cells throughout the body. As a rule, young people at the age of 20 are more likely to be ill, although its occurrence is possible even in old age.

The disease is accompanied by characteristic symptoms. Cancer of the pelvic bones is accompanied by pain in the pelvic region and hip, which often spread to the entire lower limb. Soreness greatly complicates the movement, so you can see that when walking a sick person is very limp.

Methods of treatment of oncological diseases

There are many methods used to treat skeletal cancers. The choice of therapy here depends on the nature and size of the tumor, as well as its location and the presence of metastases. A good effect can be achieved using radiation and chemotherapy. Ionizing rays, as well as chemical aggressive substances, negatively affect malignant tumor cells, eliminating not only primary education, but also its metastases.

In more severe cases, surgical intervention is required. Operative treatment is reduced to removing the affected parts of the bone and replacing them with metal implants. Naturally, further after removal of the tumor, a course of chemistry or radiotherapy is additionally required to neutralize the remaining malignant structures in the body.

What are the predictions for patients with bone cancer?

Many patients are interested in the question of how many live with bone cancer. There is no unambiguous answer to this question, since everything depends on the nature of the disease, the stage of its development, the presence of metastases and the quality of the therapy. As a rule, benign neoplasms can be treated relatively quickly. Diseases of a malignant nature are much more difficult to treat. Nevertheless, with proper therapy, a stage of long-term remission (about five years) can be achieved. If the patient turned to the doctor at the last stage of the disease, when the tumor has already managed to give metastases to vital organs, the predictions are not so favorable.