Persistent aches and pains could indicate something more serious
Bone cancer is a rare but serious condition that can originate in the bones or develop when a common cancer in another location spreads to the bones. The two most common types of primary bone cancer (arising from the bone) include Osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. These typically start in areas of the bone that undergo rapid growth, and most often affect teenagers.
In comparison, adults 65 and older are more likely to develop metastatic bone disease, which is when cancer from another location spreads to the bone. The most common sites of origin for metastatic bone disease are breast, lung, thyroid, kidney, or prostate cancer. Middle-aged adults can be affected too, though it’s less common. While bone cancer can occur in any bone, the spine and hips are the most common sites affected.
Although bone cancer makes up less than 1% of all cancers, it is important to understand the difference between everyday aches and pains and the signs that warrant a visit to the doctor.
Orthopedic surgeon Andrew Kantzos, MD, helps clarify what patients should know about the basics of bone cancer.
Bone cancer vs. tumor
Not every tumor in the bone is cancerous. Tumors can be benign –– non-cancerous –– or malignant –– cancerous.
“Benign tumors don’t spread and aren’t life-threatening, but they can still cause pain or complications if they grow large,” Kantzos explains. “Malignant tumors can grow and spread to other parts of the body and need treatment.”
Common symptoms
The most common symptom of bone cancer is persistent pain, most often in the joints.
Unlike arthritis pain, which typically worsens with activity or after a long day of moving around, bone cancer pain can occur at rest and often lingers or worsens even while lying down and not putting weight on the affected area.
Other concerning signs can include:
- Fevers, chills, or night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
- Increasing pain that does not improve with rest
To diagnose bone cancer, a patient first undergoes an X-ray. If the X-ray raises concerns, the patient will undergo additional scans and lab work for a closer look at the bone.
Treatments
Treatment of bone cancer requires a multidisciplinary team approach, with the medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and orthopedic oncologist all working together to come up with an individualized treatment plan for each patient. There are a variety of different treatment methods, which all depend on whether the cancer originates in the bone or spreads there from another cancer. Some common options may include:
Chemotherapy
Treatment options include traditional chemotherapy as well as newer approaches, such as immunotherapy and other biologic therapies. These newer treatments are often less intense and may be effective for certain cancers that spread to the bone.
Radiation therapy
Radiation can be used either alone or in combination with surgery to help alleviate pain from painful bone metastases. It can also be used to prevent cancer from coming back in the future after surgery.
Surgery
For primary bone tumors, surgeons aim to remove the cancer completely while preserving as much of the bone as possible. Advancements in surgery and chemotherapy now allow many patients to avoid amputation through limb-salvage surgeries. For cancers that spread to the bone from other locations, smaller surgeries may help reinforce weakened bones, stabilize fractures, reduce pain, and preserve mobility.
Unfortunately, there are no clear lifestyle changes that can specifically prevent bone cancer. While Kantzos says that general cancer risk factors such as smoking and excess alcohol use should be avoided, most cases of bone cancer are considered a matter of chance.
For more information on bone cancer, visit our website here.
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