When cells divide abnormally or uncontrollably, a tumor or a lump is formed.
However, when the tumor or lump develops in the bone, the condition is aptly called bone tumor.
A bone tumor can be cancerous or malignant or it can be benign.
However, when benign tumors grow, they can still end up compressing the healthy bone tissues.
That being said, treatment might still be recommended even if it won’t spread to other parts of the body.
Malignant bone tumors on the other hand can cause the cancer to spread to other parts of the body.
Causes
There have been no definite causes identified for bone tumors.
However, it has been noticed that tumors often occur when parts of the body are experiencing rapid growth
Other likely causes of bone tumors include genetics, radiation treatment and bone injuries.
Symptoms
Often the most common symptom of the condition is a dull ache.
This dull ache is often felt only occasionally but will severe and constant in the long run.
Swelling in the site affected may also be noticed.
Other symptoms include night sweats or fever.
Benign bone tumors however will often not manifest any symptoms and won’t be detected unless an imaging scan is done.
While benign bone tumors like osteochondromas will not need treatment in most cases, treatment might be necessary when the condition starts to interfere with the patient’s function and movement.
Different types of benign bone tumors
Enchondroma
This condition develops when a cartilage cyst will form inside the bone marrow.
Echondromas will often occur in the hands or feet.
It can also develop in the long bones of the arm and the thigh.
Osteochondromas
As much as 40 percent of all benign tumors are osteochrondomas.
The condition is very common among adolescents and teenagers.
These types of tumors will often manifest in the arm bones or in the leg.
In majority of the cases, it affects the tibia, humerus, and the femur.
Nanossifying Fibroma Unicameral
This condition often occurs in the leg.
It is also very common among adolescents and children.
The condition also refers to a solitary bone cyst.
Different types of malignant bone tumors
Chondrosarcoma
Middle-aged individuals and older adults are more prone to developing the condition as opposed to other age groups.
This type of malignant bone tumor often develops in the hips, shoulder, and the pelvis.
Osteosarcoma
Common among children and in adolescents, it is also known as the second most common type of bone cancer.
The tumor often develops in the shoulder, hip, and knee.
The tumor can also grow rapidly and can spread to other parts of the body.
The condition is also otherwise known as osteogenic sarcoma.
Treatment
Benign bone tumors
Benign tumors can either grow, stay the same, or disappear.
In majority of the cases, treatment won’t be needed.
However, benign tumors may have to be monitored to ensure they don’t develop into something else.
Benign bone tumors can at times lead to fractures and may eventually become malignant so removing it surgically is sometimes recommended.
Malignant bone tumors
Treatment of bone cancer is dependent on key factors like the type of cancer and whether or not it has spread to other areas.
If in the metastatic stage (the stage where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body), curing the condition will become more challenging.
Radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery are some of the likely treatment options available when treating bone cancer.
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