Various Types of Bone Cancer and its Symptoms

When abnormal growth of the bone happens, bone cancer is caused. When cancer gets originated in the bone it is called the primary bone cancer though the number of instances of primary bone cancer is very few. The primary bone cancer is mainly caused in the children as compared to the adults. When the cancer cells from other parts of the body such as kidneys, lungs, breast, thyroid or prostrate spread to the bones then secondary bone cancer is caused. Most of the bone cancer stages are secondary in nature. The various types of primary bone cancer are-

• Osteosarcoma : It is mainly caused in the growing bone tissues
• Ewing’s sarcoma : It is mainly caused in the immature tissues of the bone marrow
• Chondrosarcoma : When the cancer is caused in the cartilage.

Till date no particular cause is known for the primary bone cancer but there are certain risk factors. Those adults who suffer from Pager’s disease of bone are in the risk zone of having the primary bone cancer as in the Paget’s disease as it involves abnormal growth of new bone cells. Researches have found that people who have family history of having bone cancers are also in the risk zone. Most of the secondary bone cancer is caused due to the metastasis of the primary cancer of various other places. The bones which get affected due to metastasis are –spines, ribs, skulls, pelvis, the bones of upper arms and upper legs. 

There are different symptoms of bone cancer and people experience the symptoms of the cancer according to the area, size and stage of the bone cancer. The primary bone cancer symptoms might not be severe for the patients but these could be-

• Weak bones which may cause fracture in the bones quite often
• Joint swelling or tenderness of the joints due to formation of tumors
• Excessive tiredness
• Fever
• Sudden weight loss
• Anemia

There are various symptoms of secondary bone cancer which are-

• Continuous pain in the affected are
• Fragile bones which cause bone fractures quite often
• Weakness or paralysis caused due to pressure on the spinal cord
• Hypercalcimia - high level of calcium in the blood

If a person is experiencing the above symptoms for quite a long time then immediate doctor’s advice must be taken so that the required tests could be performed to ensure if the person is suffering from bone cancer and the treatment should be started.