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What are the symptoms of bone cancer? Can it be cured?
AUTTAKORN KANJANAPIBOONWONG M.D.
Bone pain that is commonly found, if it does not go away and has no cause, may be a warning sign of bone cancer, which is a serious disease that begins quietly without us noticing. Understanding the symptoms from an early stage is therefore like a good protective shield so that we can handle it in time. This article will introduce warning signs and various risks of bone cancer that should not be overlooked.
Key Takeaways
- Bone cancer is a serious disease that often begins with chronic bone pain without a known cause. One must observe abnormalities of the body.
- If there is localized bone pain, arm bone pain at night, swelling, or an abnormal lump, one should see a doctor promptly for a detailed examination.
- Diagnostic imaging such as X-ray, CT Scan, or MRI plays an important role in detecting bone abnormalities.
- Currently, there are various treatment approaches such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, depending on the type and stage of the disease.
- Seeing a doctor from the early stage is an important factor that helps increase the chances of achieving the best treatment outcome.
Understanding the types of bone cancer
Bone cancer is a condition caused by abnormal growth of cells in the bone, which may originate from the bone tissue itself or result from the spread of other cancers. It is a rare cancer and not commonly seen. It can be divided into 2 main groups as follows:
Primary bone cancer
This type of bone cancer arises directly from abnormal bone cells. It is often found in the bones of the arms and legs, especially near the joints such as ankle, knee, hip, or shoulder pain. Although this type of cancer is very rare in the general population, it can occur at any age, especially in children and adolescents. It is considered a group of diseases that must be diagnosed and treated quickly to increase the chance of cure.
Secondary bone cancer
In this case, the bone is not the origin of cancer cells but is the target of metastasis from other cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, and thyroid cancer, especially in advanced stages. The spread of cancer cells to the bone is commonly found in the central parts of the body such as the spine, pelvis, or ribs. On average, about 1 in 5 of all cancer patients will have bone-related complications in this form.
Observable symptoms of bone cancer
Bone cancer is a disease with signs and symptoms that do not yet have definite indicators, and the symptoms may be confused with general muscle pain. However, associated symptoms can be observed in order to receive accurate diagnosis. Knowing these symptoms will help enable timely examination and treatment. The symptoms of bone cancer are divided according to the type of disease: primary and secondary, each having different characteristics.
Symptoms of primary bone cancer
Usually causes the patient to feel localized bone pain, such as knee pain in a chronic pattern that gradually increases, and often bone pain at night. In addition, an abnormal lump at the bone may be found, including deformity of the arm or leg at the affected location. Sometimes the bone may fracture without a clear cause.
Symptoms of secondary bone cancer
May not have pain or a lump like primary, but the patient may experience abnormal fractures, such as fractures from minor force or even from walking and falling. In addition, there may be neurological symptoms in cases where the cancer spreads to the spine, such as numbness, weakness, or even paralysis in some cases, which may be accompanied by pain in the spine or shoulder blade due to cancer.
What causes bone cancer
At present, there is no clear answer as to what exactly causes bone cancer, but studies have found that several factors may stimulate or increase the risk of this disease. The main related factors are as follows:
- Genetic abnormalities: Bone cancer may arise from changes at the gene level, causing bone cells to grow abnormally and become cancer cells.
- Exposure to harmful environments: such as certain chemicals, pesticides, or radiation found in some working environments such as industrial factories or medical units that use radiation for treatment or diagnosis, may increase the risk of bone cancer.
- Side effects from medical treatment: such as receiving high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy, may cause cell damage and increase the chance of developing new types of cancer in the future.
How is bone cancer diagnosed
Diagnosis of bone cancer requires the use of multiple examination methods together to determine the type, size, location, and spread of the cancer. This information helps doctors plan treatment more appropriately. The diagnostic steps are as follows:
- The doctor will take a medical history and perform an initial physical examination to assess whether there are indicative symptoms.
- General bone X-ray examination helps to see the overall image of the bone and locations that may have abnormalities, or the doctor may order a CT Scan additionally depending on the case.
- MRI examination uses magnetic waves to create more detailed images, allowing clearer visualization of the size and location of the tumor, especially in cases of spread to surrounding tissues, and is also used for surgical planning if surgery is required.
- Biopsy: collecting bone tissue or suspected surrounding tissue for pathological examination to confirm whether it is cancer cells and what type.
- If the doctor suspects that bone cancer may have spread to other organs such as the lungs and other bones, additional examinations may be considered, such as:
a. Chest X-ray to check whether cancer has spread to the lungs.
b. CT Scan of the lungs helps to see lung details more clearly and quickly.
c. Bone Scan to detect the spread of cancer to other bones, which requires a specialist to interpret the images.
How is bone cancer treated
The treatment goals for each type of bone cancer may differ in each case. The doctor will consider the most appropriate treatment method for each patient. In general, the treatment methods are as follows:
Primary bone cancer
Treatment of primary bone cancer focuses on cure by using multiple methods together, starting with surgery to remove the tumor from the body if the location allows surgery without affecting important organs. The doctor will try to preserve as much of the healthy part as possible. In some cases, if it is necessary to remove an important part, prosthetic replacement may be used, depending on whether the location can accommodate a prosthesis. In addition, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be given before or after surgery to reduce tumor size or destroy remaining cancer cells (depending on the type and stage of cancer in each patient), reduce recurrence, and allow the patient to return to a near-normal life.
Secondary bone cancer
Treatment of secondary bone cancer focuses on relieving symptoms and improving the patient’s quality of life. The main treatments are usually chemotherapy or radiation therapy to reduce tumor size, help control the disease, and relieve pain. Surgery is performed only when necessary, such as when there is a risk of fracture or impact on daily life, to help the patient live more comfortably, even though it cannot be completely cured.
Having bone cancer, do not endure the pain. Come for examination and treatment at Praram 9 Hospital
Bone cancer is a disease that greatly affects quality of life, especially chronic pain that may interfere with daily living. If there is frequent pain and symptoms as mentioned, one should undergo examination to find the true cause. If it is found to be bone cancer, treatment can be initiated promptly according to the process, preventing progression that will affect health in the future.
Observing early symptoms of bone cancer will help reduce risk and increase the chances of more effective treatment. It is recommended to receive care from the medical team at the Orthopedic Center, Praram 9 Hospital, for accurate treatment planning and to maintain a quality of life close to normal.
For more information
- Facebook: Praram 9 Hospital International & Expats
- Line: @Praram9Hospital
- Tel. 1270
Frequently asked questions about bone cancer
1. What future technologies are there in the treatment of bone cancer?
Currently, there are new technologies to watch in the future treatment of bone cancer, including Targeted Therapy, Immunotherapy, and the use of AI in conjunction with medical imaging diagnosis to help increase treatment accuracy.
2. Can bone cancer be cured?
Treatment can be curative if detected at an early stage and treated properly. However, the cure rate depends on the type of cancer, disease stage, and overall health of the patient. In severe cases where treatment may worsen quality of life, doctors may recommend palliative care instead.
References
Bone cancer: Symptoms, treatment & outlook. (2018, October 31). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17745-bone-cancer
Bone cancer. (2025, May 20). NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bone-cancer/
Bone cancer (bone tumors). (2024, December 17). WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/cancer/bone-tumors
