Bone cancer

Under the name Bone cancer all malignant tumors that can be present in bone tissue are summarized. The most common bone cancer is called osteosarcoma and occurs in both adults and adolescents. Bone cancer can be cured if it is detected early.

What is bone cancer?

In bone cancer, the type and severity of the symptoms are based on the type, size and location of the tumor. Usually, pain in the affected area indicates cancer.
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As Bone cancer are all malignant (malignant) tumors that are located in bone tissue. A distinction is made between primary and secondary tumors. Primary bone cancer is very rare.

Secondary bone cancer is the result of another cancer. This tumor occurs when another malignant tumor, such as B. breast cancer or lung cancer, spreads and metastases (daughter tumors) in the bones. The secondary bone cancer may already be present, even if the cancer causing the problem has not yet caused any or only minor symptoms.

There are also benign (benign) bone tumors. It must be emphasized that this is not cancer. There are also tumors that cannot be assigned to either of the two groups (malignant or benign). These tumors are called semi-malignant because bone cancer can develop from the tumor tissue. Chondroma is the most common semi-malignant bone tumor.

Bone cancer or bone tumors are also divided according to the tissue from which they arise: bone cells, cartilage cells and bone marrow.

Benign (benign) tumors:

The osteochondroma arises in the cartilage tissue, the osteoma in the bone tissue. The eosinophilic granuloma arises in the bone marrow.

Malignant tumors:

The osteosarcoma arises from degenerate bone cells. The chondrosarcoma arises from degenerate cartilage cells and the Ewing sarcoma has its origin in the bone marrow. Another malignant bone cancer is the giant cell tumor, whose mother tissue (place of origin) is not known.

causes

The causes for Bone cancer are largely unknown. One suspects a genetic disposition, especially in the cancers osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma.

Osteosarcoma mainly occurs in people who suffer from osteodystrophia deformans, a skeletal disease with a genetic background.

Other causes of bone cancer are radiation and / or chemotherapy. In particular, those affected who had cancer as children who were treated with radiation and chemotherapy have a significantly increased risk of developing bone cancer.

Other cancers are another cause. Bone cancer often occurs as a result of breast and lung cancers.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

In bone cancer, the type and severity of the symptoms are based on the type, size and location of the tumor. Usually, pain in the affected area indicates cancer. At the same time, there is swelling of the skin and tissue near the bone tumor. The pain and swelling often lead to restricted mobility of the affected body region.

The symptoms of an osteosarcoma occur predominantly in the area of ​​the arm or leg bones. In the affected areas, the bone loses its strength, which means that even normal stress or light external influences can cause fractures. Certain forms of bone cancer can cause additional symptoms. Ewing sarcoma causes pain, swelling and fever, usually accompanied by an increasing feeling of illness.

At an advanced stage, those affected lose weight and are tired or exhausted. Ewing's sarcoma appears primarily in the leg, in the area of ​​the shaft on the long tubular bones. The cancer can also occur in the pelvic bones. The symptoms of bone cancer increase as the disease progresses and can cause permanent bone damage. If the tumors spread, there are other symptoms throughout the body. An untreated osteosarcoma is fatal for the patient.

Diagnosis & course

Of the Bone cancer is diagnosed by the oncologist. After taking the anamnesis and an initial physical examination, further radiodiagnostic procedures are used if bone cancer is suspected, such as B. X-rays, ultrasound, CT, MRI and skeletal scintigraphy. Blood tests also provide information on whether certain enzymes, the so-called "cancer parameters", are elevated. Are examined u. a. the following values: alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE).

Only a histological examination can show whether it is ultimately bone cancer. A biopsy is performed in which a tissue sample is taken from the tumor and examined for malignancy in the pathology department.

The course of bone cancer depends on several factors: type of tumor, malignancy, size of the tumor and metastases. If the bone cancer is detected early, if it is small and has not yet metastasized, there is a good chance of recovery from an osteosarcoma. After five years, around 70 to 80 percent of those affected are still alive.

There is also a good chance of recovery from Ewing's sarcoma. If this bone cancer is detected early, around 50 to 60 percent of those affected will still live after five years.

Complications

Bone cancer is a very serious disease. As with any other tumor disease, life expectancy can also be reduced in bone cancer if the tumor spreads to other areas of the body and also affects healthy tissue there. In the worst case, this can lead to the patient's premature death.

In most cases, those affected primarily experience severe bone pain. These can also occur in the form of pain at rest and lead to sleep disorders, especially at night, and thus often to depression. The quality of life is significantly reduced by the bone cancer. The affected areas can also swell and the patient's movement is severely restricted. The joints can also be stiffened.

The treatment itself does not usually lead to any particular complications. The bone cancer can be removed with the help of radiation. Whether this leads to further complaints depends to a large extent on the extent and severity of the cancer. Not sailing, psychological treatment of the person concerned is also necessary.

When should you go to the doctor?

See a doctor if bone pain or swelling persists. If there are other symptoms such as fever or malaise, it is best to consult your family doctor immediately. Bone cancer can manifest itself through very different symptoms, which are often only noticed when the disease has progressed. It is all the more important to clarify any unusual symptoms immediately. Bone cancer patients should consult the responsible doctor closely. If there is any suspicion that the cancer has recurred or may have spread, the doctor must be informed.

Even unspecific symptoms or sudden symptoms require clarification. Often it is sufficient to change the medication, but there is also a complication that needs treatment. People who have had radiation therapy or chemotherapy are particularly prone to developing bone cancer. There is also an increased risk of cancer in connection with osteodystrophia deformans or multiple osteochondromas. People in these risk groups should immediately consult their family doctor or an internist if they have symptoms mentioned. Children and adolescents should go to the pediatrician.

Treatment & Therapy

Therapy at Bone cancer depends on the type of tumor and whether it has already metastasized. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are combined with one another in both osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma.

Treatment for osteosarcoma usually begins with chemotherapy. This is supposed to shrink the tumor, which is then removed during an operation. Radiation therapy is usually not carried out for osteosarcoma because this tumor does not react or only reacts slightly to radiation.

After the surgical removal of the tumor, another chemotherapy takes place. If metastases were also found during the diagnosis, an attempt is made to treat them with chemotherapy at the beginning. Only if this is unsuccessful are the metastases surgically removed. In addition, additional chemotherapeutic agents are used for the second chemotherapy (after the operation).

Ewing's sarcoma is a tumor that responds well to radiation therapy. The treatment process is identical to that for osteosarcoma. After chemotherapy, the tumor is surgically removed. This is followed by the irradiation. It should be noted, however, that this bone cancer metastases very early, preferably in the lungs.

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Outlook & forecast

The prognosis for bone cancer depends on the progression of the disease at the time of diagnosis as well as the treatment in place. Without the use of medical care, the affected person may die prematurely. The cancer cells spread unhindered in the organism and lead to a progression of the disease. Other parts of the body are infected and healthy tissue is destroyed. Ultimately, the death of the patient is determined.

If the bone cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, there is a good chance of a cure if appropriate therapy is initiated. The progress of the disease is curbed or completely prevented by the medical possibilities. By removing the affected areas in the body, the bone cancer can ultimately be cured. If a surgical procedure takes place, the associated risks and side effects must be taken into account when making a prognosis.

Patients in whom the bone cancer has been completely cured, however, have to reckon with restricted further life. The physical resilience decreases and everyday behavior has to be changed and adapted to the physical possibilities. The psychological stress can lead to secondary diseases. These must also be taken into account when making a forecast. A recurrence of bone cancer is possible in the course of life.

prevention

For Bone cancer one cannot take preventive measures. However, there is a lot that can be done to reduce the general risk of cancer. A healthy diet, avoidance of alcohol, drugs and nicotine as well as sufficient physical activity form a good basis for staying healthy for a long time. Furthermore, one should keep the appointments for cancer screening regularly. In the case of recurring complaints, such as B. Pain and swelling in arms and legs, one should consult a doctor. Because the earlier you discover bone cancer, the better the chances of a cure or at least one can counteract a severe course of bone cancer.

Aftercare

Tumors are among the diseases that require intensive, regular medical follow-up care. This is mainly due to the life-threatening dimension of the complaints. In addition, an early diagnosis of recurrence promises the best treatment success. This is also the fastest way to identify metastases.

In general, the immediate time after the first procedure is the most likely to develop again. Therefore, follow-up examinations are initially carried out quarterly. Then, if there are no symptoms, the periods are extended to a semi-annual or annual rhythm.

Above all, imaging methods such as x-rays, magnetic resonance tomography and computer tomography can provide clear information about a return of bone cancer. In addition, a blood test and a tissue biopsy can also play an important role. Follow-up care usually takes place in the clinic where the first operation took place.

In addition to the diagnosis of recurrence, follow-up care has another function: an initial treatment of the bone cancer can lead to functional impairments that require treatment. These must be treated during the follow-up to ensure a final recovery. If there are even permanent complaints, sufficient aids must be made available. The patient should cope with his everyday life as independently as possible.

You can do that yourself

The malignant cancer spreads quickly in many patients. A healthy and stable immune system is very important so that the organism has as many defenses available as possible during cancer therapy.

Patients can eat balanced meals rich in vitamins to improve their own well-being. Pollutants such as nicotine or alcohol must be avoided. In addition, food that is unhealthy or difficult to digest, such as fats or products with high protein content, should be avoided. The fluid balance must be checked and should be based on the recommendations of the doctors.

The cancer is emotionally very stressful for the patient. Mental strength and daily motivation are therefore important for him in everyday life. In dealing with the condition, it is helpful to encourage experiences that are perceived as relaxing and life-affirming. Joy and humor should be a staple in spite of all odds. With a positive attitude and the setting of achievable goals, self-confidence can be supported and new courage to face life can be built.

Relaxation methods have proven themselves several times to reduce stress. The patient can use these together in training or on their own. Adequate exercise is important despite the bone cancer and should be adapted to the available options.