Bone Cancer

One of the various cancers that can develop in the bone tissue is called bone cancer. Depending on where the disease develops and the type of cell, there are various types of bone cancer. Primary bone cancers are cancers that begin in the bone. In more advanced stages, cancer that has already spread to another organ of the body can also travel to the bone. When bone cancer develops, it also starts to harm healthy bone tissue. Breast, prostate, and lung cancer-causing tumours frequently spread to the bone.

Bone cancer is a very rare type of cancer. Bone cancer accounts for approximately 1% of cancer cases. Bone cancer is more common in children, teenagers, and young adults. However, there is a risk of development at any age. Although very rare, benign bone types can also become cancerous. For this reason, people with benign bone tumors should be treated to eliminate various health problems such as weak bones, joint problems and breakdown of healthy bone tissue, as well as the risk of cancer.

​​Bone cancer is an extremely uncommon form of cancer. An estimated 1% of cancer cases are bone cancer. Children, teenagers, and young adults are more likely than adults to get bone cancer. However, development is a possibility at any age. Although extremely uncommon, benign bone types can become malignancy. In order to prevent cancer and other health issues like weak bones, joint issues, and the destruction of healthy bone tissue, persons with benign bone tumors should receive treatment.

As with other types of cancer, we do not know much about bone cancer. It is still not known exactly why bone cancer occurs. Exposure to radiation, drugs used in the treatment of other types of cancer, and genetic predisposition increase the risk of bone cancer.

What Are the Types of Bone Cancer?

Bone cancer is studied in four different types. Although all of these types are considered as bone cancer, they are actually quite different from each other. Osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, chondrosarcoma and chordoma are considered as types of bone cancer.

The most typical form of bone cancer is osteosarcoma. A new bone's formation is where this cancer develops. Although it can happen in any bone, it is more frequently observed near the ends of big bones like the arm and foot bones. Particularly in children and young adults, osteosarcoma can develop.

Ewing sarcoma is named after James Ewing, the doctor who discovered this cancer. In Ewing sarcoma, many tumors with similar structures are seen in the same type of cells. These tumors can occur in the bone or in the soft tissue around the bone. Ewing sarcoma can occur in the hips, ribs, shoulder bones, or long bones such as the leg bones.

Chondrosarcoma occurs in cartilage instead of bone. The connective tissue that provides movement between bones and joints is called cartilage. When calcium is added by the body, some cartilage turns into bone. Chondrosarcoma occurs in the arms, legs, or pelvic bones. Unlike osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma, chondrosarcoma occurs most often in adults.

Chordoma is a very rare type of bone cancer. It occurs in the bones that make up the vertebrae. It usually occurs under the skull or spine. Like chondrosarcoma, chordoma is a type of bone cancer that occurs in adults. It also occurs more frequently in men than in women.

How Is Bone Cancer Treated?

Bone cancer has phases, just like other cancers. Depending on the stage of the malignancy, different treatments are used. Cancer cells are present in the site of stage 1 bone cancer, which is still in its early stages. While there is no body-wide spread in the second stage, the tumors are still regarded as high-level. The tumors have expanded to various areas of the bone in the third stage. The body's many organs, including the liver and lung, can exhibit tumors in the final stage.

Treatment varies according to the type and stage of cancer. Treatment methods used in cancer treatment are surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. In cases where the disease is aggressive, two methods such as surgery and chemotherapy can be applied in combination. Tumors that are not cleared by surgery are cleared with chemotherapy treatment after surgery.