All about bone cancer: Symptoms, causes and treatment strategies

The most typical symptom of bone cancer is continuous or sporadic pain in the afflicted bone. During physical exercise or at night, the pain could get worse. (Image: Canva)

Despite being very uncommon, bone cancer is a serious condition that can have a major effect on a person's life. The most prevalent kinds are osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing's sarcoma. It starts in the cells of the bones. Although any bone can develop these cancers, the long bones in the arms and legs are the most affected.

Understanding bone cancer's signs, causes, risk factors, and available treatments is essential to understanding the disease. For this condition to be adequately managed and the quality of life for people affected to be improved, early detection and thorough information are essential.

Early detection is difficult because bone cancer symptoms can be mild and frequently confused with those of other conditions, says Dr Pooja Babbar, consultant medical oncology, CK Birla hospital, Gurugram.

Pain: The most typical symptom is continuous or sporadic pain in the afflicted bone. During physical exercise or at night, the pain could get worse.

Tenderness and swelling: Tenderness and a distinct lump are frequently present together with swelling that occurs close to the affected location.

Fractures: Bones that are weakened are more prone to breaking. Unexpected fractures with little damage could be a sign of hidden bone cancer.

Reduced mobility: The afflicted limb's limited range of motion, especially if the malignancy is close to a joint.

Systemic symptoms: Advanced stages of bone cancer may also be accompanied by fever, weight loss, and fatigue.

The exact cause of bone cancer remains largely unknown, but several factors may contribute to its development, says Dr Babbar.

Genetic factors: Mutations in specific genes can predispose individuals to bone cancer. For instance, hereditary retinoblastoma is linked to an increased risk of osteosarcoma.

Radiation exposure: High doses of radiation, such as those used in previous cancer treatments, can increase the risk of developing bone cancer.

Paget's disease: This chronic disorder, which affects bone remodeling, can elevate the risk of bone cancer in older adults.

Certain factors may increase the likelihood of developing bone cancer. Age plays a significant role, as bone cancer is more prevalent in children, teenagers, and young adults, with osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma being particularly common in these age groups.

Previous cancer treatments such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy for other cancers also elevate the risk of developing bone cancer, says the expert. Additionally, inherited conditions, including genetic syndromes like Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, can significantly heighten this risk.

Gender is another factor, with males generally being more prone to bone cancer than females. These risk factors highlight the importance of monitoring and early detection, especially in individuals with a higher predisposition to the disease.

The course of treatment for bone cancer is determined by the patient's general health as well as the kind, stage, and location of the cancer. Typical therapeutic choices consist of:

Surgery: Removing the tumour and some surrounding healthy tissue is the main strategy for treating the majority of bone malignancies. Although limb-sparing surgery is frequently an option, amputation might be required in extreme circumstances.

Chemotherapy: Usually reserved for aggressive forms of cancer, such as Ewing's sarcoma, this systemic treatment uses medicines to destroy cancer cells.

Radiation therapy: When surgery is not an option or when a tumor cannot be physically removed, high-energy radiation is utilized to target and kill cancer cells.

Targeted therapy: This refers to the use of medications that minimally harm healthy cells while selectively targeting cancer cells.

For the best results, bone cancer requires early detection and a multimodal treatment strategy due to its diverse forms and presentations.