Bone Cancer

Bone cancer is a malignant tumor that originates in the cells of the bones. The most common types are osteosarcoma, which typically develops in growing bones of children and young adults; chondrosarcoma, which starts in cartilage cells and is more common in older adults; and Ewing sarcoma, which is most frequently found in children and adolescents. These cancers can be primary, originating in the bone itself, or secondary, stemming from metastasis, where cancer cells spread from another part of the body to the bone. Symptoms of bone cancer may include pain, swelling, and fractures, with diagnosis often involving imaging studies and biopsy.

Treatment options for bone cancer depend on the type, size, location, and stage of the disease, as well as the patient's age and overall health. Standard treatments include surgery, which aims to remove the cancer completely; chemotherapy, which uses drugs to destroy cancer cells; and radiation therapy, which employs high-energy beams to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. Advances in limb-sparing surgery have greatly improved outcomes for patients with primary bone tumors, reducing the need for amputation. Careful monitoring for metastasis is critical, as bone cancer has the propensity to spread to the lungs and other bones.