With only about 1% of cancer cases in the country being bone cancer, it is extremely rare. According to the American Cancer Society, the first half of 2022 witnessed 3,910 new cases. The condition can be classified into primary and secondary bone cancer. The former develops in the bone while the latter metastases to the bone. Being aware of early signs of bone cancer can give individuals a better chance of a complete cure.

6 symptoms of bone cancer
Even before a person gets diagnosed with cancer, they may have noticed some early signs of the condition they easily dismissed as a common ache.

Bone pain

One of the main bone cancer symptoms is intense pain. Due to the ache being quite persistent, it becomes difficult for the individuals to have regular movement in the area. In several cases, the pain might worsen at night and heighten with movement.

Joint swelling and tenderness

Joint swelling and stiffness are very common characteristics of bone cancer. The joints begin to swell and become stiff because of the tumor. This results in restrictions on movement and additional joint pains. If every movement results in sudden pain, and there is no obvious cause for it, it is time to consult a doctor and rule out the possibility of bone cancer.

Weak bone and fractures

Along with intense aches and swelling, weak bones and fractures are some common early signs of bone cancer. Over time, the malignant tumor makes the bones weaker by destroying the healthy tissue, making them more prone to fracturing. This can lead to a shock of pain that causes additional mental distress.

Fatigue

Like all the other cancers, bone cancer also causes severe fatigue. A person diagnosed with bone cancer often feels fatigued without having physically exerted themselves. Aside from the physical fatigue, cancers cause tremendous psychological fatigue, which might lead to social withdrawal, feelings of isolation, and anxiety. If one has been feeling fatigued without any apparent cause, it is time to visit a specialist.

Unintentional loss in body mass

When a person gets diagnosed with any kind of cancer, the most common and visible symptom is an unintentional loss in body fat and mass. Cancer patients often suffer from low appetite and chronic nausea. Combined with the fatigue and overall weakness, these early symptoms of bone cancer result in drastic changes in the patient’s physique. If one has not been following a rigorous exercise regime or food plan chart and is still becoming slimmer, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

Fever and sweating

People diagnosed with cancer often have to deal with high fevers and headaches, particularly at night. This is because high temperatures, headaches, and sweating are some of the common symptoms of bone cancer. These frequent fevers make the body weaker by damaging one’s immune system, and sweating causes low water levels in the body and results in dehydration.

Ways to manage bone cancer

Though its prevalence is pretty rare, bone cancer can turn deadly in several cases. There are three types of bone cancer: osteosarcoma, ewing sarcoma, and chondrosarcoma. Imaging tests can help healthcare professionals know the location and size of the tumor and whether it has metastasized to other parts of the body. Each of the cancer types affects different cells in the body, and the remedial measures taken by doctors depend on the type of bone cancer one has. Read on to know some of the main methods used to manage the condition.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a common remedial option for bone cancer. In order to kill the cancer cells, doctors use anticancer options strategically. This remedial method is more effective for ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma. It is not typically as effective for chondrosarcoma.

Surgery
Surgery is used to remove the cancerous tumor. In most cases, a small portion of the healthy tissue surrounding the tumor also gets removed to make sure no cancer cell is left. The lost bone is replaced with some bone from another area of one’s body, with material from a bone bank, or with a metal or hard plastic replacement.

Radiotherapy
In the process of radiotherapy, doctors make use of high-intensity beams of energy in order to kill the cancer cells. It is commonly used before the surgical procedure to reduce the size of the tumor, thereby decreasing the chances of requiring an amputation. This technique may also be used in bone cancer patients where the tumor cannot be removed via surgery.

In addition to the above-mentioned methods to help cure the condition, patients can also research therapy methods and natural remedies via food and lifestyle changes to better manage bone cancer symptoms. It is strongly advisable not to neglect the early warning signs of bone cancer and consult a specialist if any problem is suspected.