Bone cancer myths busted: What most people get wrong about bone tumours

Not all bone tumors are malignant, and many bone cancers don’t even start in the bones (Image: Pexels)

Patients become scared and confused when they hear the term "bone cancer." Not many people realize, though, that most bone cancers are not primary bone tumours. Metastatic cancer, or cancer that spreads to the bone from another organ, like the breast, prostate, or lungs, is more simply referred to as bone cancer.

According to Dr. Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at the CK Birla Hospital®, Delhi, some patients come in with bone pain, pathological fractures, or with signs of nerve compression, particularly if the spine is the bone involved. These secondary bone cancers have a proclivity to imply Stage 4 disease, says Malhotra and lists down some common myths related to Bone Cancer.

Myth 1: Bone is where all bone cancers start.

Fact: Most bone cancers originate elsewhere in the body and spread to the bones.

Myth 2: Bone cancer is always aggressive and fatal.

Fact: Although some bone cancers are aggressive, the majority can be treated effectively, particularly if diagnosed early. For instance, osteosarcoma, or cancer tumor, most frequently occurring in young children and young adults, is curable with chemotherapy and limb-sparing surgery. Improvements in surgical methods and chemotherapy have dramatically enhanced survivor rates.

Myth 3: All bone tumours are malignant.

Fact: The truth is that not every bone tumour is malignant. Two of the benign tumours that are not malignant, metastasize very rarely, and do not result in severe health complications are osteomas and osteochondromas.

Also Read: Sarcoma and Bone Cancer Awareness Month: Bone pain isn’t always about age; when to see a doctor

Myth 4: Chemotherapy is not used in bone cancers.

Fact: Chemotherapy treats various bone cancers uniquely. Children's cancer, Ewing's sarcoma, which most commonly occurs in flat bones like the pelvis or the ribs, is sensitive to chemotherapy and to radiation. But cartilage cancer, chondrosarcoma, is not curable by chemotherapy and must be treated surgically.

Myth 5: Bone pain always indicates bone cancer.

Fact: While chronic bone pain should be explored, it is not necessarily due to cancer. Arthritis, trauma, infection, or noncancerous illness can also create the same symptomatology.

Although there are many different and complex types of bone cancer, it is essential to understand the difference between primary and secondary bone tumours. Even though primary bone tumours are uncommon, many can be controlled with the appropriate mix of supportive care, surgery, and chemotherapy. Effective therapy and improved results depend on prompt diagnosis, identification of signs such as unexplained bone pain or fractures, and appropriate examination.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis