Bone Tumor – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments

Some tumors are benign, which means they are not cancerous. Although benign bone tumors do not spread to other parts of the body and are unlikely to be fatal, they can still be dangerous and may require treatment. Benign tumors can grow and can compress your healthy bone tissue.

Other tumors are malignant, meaning they are cancerous. Malignant Bone Tumor can cause cancer and spread throughout the body.

Causes of Bone Tumor: The cause of Bone Tumor is not known. Tumors usually occur when body parts are growing rapidly. Some possible causes are genetics, radiation treatment, and bone injuries. Osteosarcoma has been associated with radiation treatment (particularly high doses of radiation) and other anticancer drugs, especially in children.

However, a direct cause has not been identified. People who have had bone fractures repaired with metal implants are also more likely to develop osteosarcoma later on.

Bone Tumor Symptoms: A dull ache in the affected bone is the most common symptom of Bone Tumor . The pain starts as occasional and becomes severe and constant. The pain can be severe enough to wake you up during the night. Sometimes when people have anundiscovered Bone Tumor , what appears to be a minor injury breaks already weakened bone, leading to severe pain. This is known as a pathological fracture. Sometimes there may be swelling at the tumor site.

Bone Tumor can cause night sweats or fevers. Or you may not have pain, but you will notice a new mass of tissue somewhere in your body.

People with benign tumors may have no symptoms, and the tumor may not be detected until an imaging scan reveals it while receiving other medical tests. A benign bone tumor, such as an osteochondroma, may not require treatment unless it starts to interfere with your function and movement.

Bone Tumor Diagnoses: Fractures, infections, and other conditions can look like tumors. To make sure you have a Bone Tumor , your doctor may order a variety of tests.

First, your doctor will do a physical exam focusing on the area of ​​your suspected tumor. They will check the tenderness in your bone and test your range of motion. Your doctor will also ask you questions about your family’s medical history.

Blood and Urine Tests: Your doctor may order tests, including blood or urine samples . A lab will analyze these fluids to detect different proteins that could indicate the presence of a tumor or other medical problems.

An alkaline phosphatase test is a common tool used in the diagnosis of Bone Tumors . When your bone tissue is especially active in cell formation, large amounts of this enzyme show up in your blood . This could be because a bone is growing, as in young people, or it could mean that a   tumor is producing abnormal bone tissue. This test is most reliable in those who have stopped growing.

Imaging Tests: Your doctor will likely order X-rays to determine the exact size and location of the   tumor . Depending on the X-ray results, these other imaging tests may be necessary:

• A CT scan is a series of detailed images of the inside of your body that are taken from various angles.
• An MRI scan provides detailed images of the area in question.
• In a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, your doctor will inject a small amount of radioactive sugar into your vein. Since cancer cells use more glucose than normal cells, this activity helps your doctor locate the   tumor site .
• An angiogram is an X-ray of your blood vessels.
• biopsies

Your doctor may want to do a biopsy. In this test, a sample of the tissue that makes up your   tumor will be removed. The sample is examined in the laboratory by microscope. The main types of biopsies are a needle biopsy and an incisional biopsy.

A needle biopsy can be done in your doctor’s office or by a radiologist, along with one of the imaging tests mentioned earlier. Either way, you will have local anesthesia to block the pain. The doctor will insert a needle into your bone, using it to remove a small piece of tumor tissue. If a radiologist does the needle biopsy, they will use the image from the x-ray, MRI, or CT scan to help find the   tumor and know where to insert the needle.

An incisional biopsy, also called an open biopsy, is done in an operating room under general anesthesia so you can sleep through the procedure. The doctor makes an incision and removes your tissue through the incision.

Bone biopsy is important to definitively determine the condition.

Bone Tumor Treatments: If your Bone Tumor is benign, it may or may not require action. Sometimes doctors just look at benign bone tumors to see if they change over time. This requires going back periodically for follow-up X-rays. Bone Tumors can grow, stay the same or eventually disappear. Children are more likely to have their Bone Tumors disappear as they mature.

Benign tumors can sometimes spread or turn into malignant tumors. Since Bone Tumors can also lead to fractures, your doctor may want to surgically remove a   benign tumor .

Your doctor wants you to stay in close contact while you recover. Follow-up X-rays and blood tests will be needed to ensure that the entire   tumor is gone and that it does not come back. You may have follow-up tests every few months.

How quickly you recover will depend on the type of Bone Tumor  you had, how big it was and where it was located.

Many people find cancer support groups helpful . If your Bone Tumor is malignant, ask your doctor for resources or inquire about groups like the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Bone Tumor Recovery: Your doctor wants you to stay in close contact while you recover. Follow-up X-rays and blood tests will be needed to ensure that the entire Bone Tumor is gone and that it does not come back. You may have follow-up tests every few months.

How quickly you recover will depend on the type of Bone Tumor you had, how big it was and where it was located.

Many people find cancer support groups helpful . If your Bone Tumor  is malignant, ask your doctor for resources or inquire about groups like the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Bone Tumor Perspective: If your Bone Tumor is benign, your long-term outcome is likely to be good. However, benign bone marrow can grow, recur, or turn into cancer , so you will still benefit from regular checkups.

The outlook varies depending on the type of cancer , size, location, and your overall health. Your outlook is also good if the bone is localized. Both malignant and benign bone tumors can recur. People who have had bone cancer , especially at an early age, are at a higher risk of developing other types of cancer . If you have any symptoms or health concerns, be sure to discuss them with your doctor promptly.

The outlook is poorer if the bone cancer has spread. But there are treatments and technology continues to advance. Many people with bone cancer join clinical trials of new drugs and therapies. This benefits both current cancer patients and those who will be diagnosed and treated in the future.