When cells of the body are divided abnormally, then there is a creation of mass or lump. These masses or lumps are called tumors. Basically bone tumor/cancer form in your bones and continuously grows. In such cases, the normal tissues are replaced by irregular tissues. Before prescribing the treatments for bone tumors, the healthcare provider will first evaluate whether it is a benign or malignant tumor. Among the common symptoms of bone tumors, the following exist: pain, swelling, lumps, broken bones, tiredness, and/or loss of weight. Besides these, there are several other techniques available based on the type and stage of the tumor under consideration. With advanced medical facilities, it is possible to diagnose such types of tumors, and all best options of bone tumor treatment will be explained below.

Types of Bone Tumors

There are several types of bone tumors based on characteristics and nature:

Benign Bone Tumor: (Noncancerous)

Benign bone tumors are noncancerous. These tumors grow slowly and do not spread other parts of your body as compare to cancerous tumors. Benign tumors are not generally problematic. In some cases may require surgical removal if benign tumors turn into malignant tumors. Benign tumors are typically not harmful unless they are:

Applying pressure on the surrounding blood vessels, nerves, or tissues
Causing damage
Resulting in an overproduction of hormones

Some common benign tumors are:

Adenomas
Hemangiomas
Fibroids
Lipomas

Malignant Tumor: (Cancerous)

Malignant tumors are cells that grow quickly and attack nearby tissues of the body. These tumors are abnormals and very different from the surrounding tissues. Malignant tumors are cancerous. The shape of these tumors is irregular. If a person suffers from malignant tumors then they must need surgery/treatment. Most commonly diagnosed malignant tumors are as follows:

Chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcoma most frequently affects patients between the ages of 40 to 70. The hip, pelvis, or shoulder are the areas where the majority of instances occur. Chondrosarcoma symptoms are:

Joint stiffness
Large lump on bone
Increasing Pain
Bladder control problems
Weakness

Multiple Myeloma

It occurs in about 20 of every million people. Most cases are in people in the age group of 50 to 70 years. Any bone may be affected. Multiple myeloma symptoms are:

Bone pain
Anemia
Hypercacemia
Weight loss
Kidney problems
Leg swelling

Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the second most frequent type of bone cancer, affecting approximately 2-3 new individuals per million people each year. Teenagers represent the largest number of cases. Tumors surround the majority of knees. The hip and shoulder are two other common sites for them. Osteosarcoma symptoms are:

Increased in pain while performing acitivity
Swelling & Redness at the site of the tumor
Lump
Loss of bladder

Ewing’s Sarcoma

People between the ages of 5 and 20 are the most common group to develop Ewing’s sarcoma. The typical locations for this condition are the upper arm, leg, pelvis, and ribs. The soft tissue surrounding your bones could be the source of it. Ewing sarcoma symptoms are:

Lump in chest, arm, pelvis, or leg
Bone pain
Swelling & Tenderness
Break in the bone

Bone Tumor Symptoms and Causes

Bone tumor symptoms include:

Pain
Fatigue
Weight Loss
Swelling or Redness on the affected bone area
Limping
Fever

While the majority of bone tumors/cancers have no known origin, there are a few that could be: radiation, injury, and genetic abnormalities. Some inherited diseases cause bone tumors in families, although this is not usually the case.

Diagnostic Tests for Bone Tumor

To diagnose bone tumor, your healthcare provider/doctor will perform several tests. Diagnostic tests that can help detect bone tumors/cancers include:

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
Bone biopsy
Bone scan
X-ray
CT scans (computed tomography)
MRI scans (magnetic resonance imaging)
PET scans (positron emission tomography)

Treatment Options for Bone Tumor

Bone Tumor treatment options will vary depending on the type of bone cancer. The following are some treatments given out to help with your bone tumor procedures.

Surgery: Surgery is typically used to treat bone cancer. Your entire tumor is removed during surgery. To ensure that no cancer cells remain following surgery, your surgeon closely inspects the tumor’s margins.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy treatment involves using medication to target and destroy cancer cells throughout the body. Usually, the medication is given through an injection into a vein or taken as a tablet. Chemotherapy is one of the options available for treating primary or metastatic bone tumors as recommended by your healthcare provider. The side effects of chemotherapy include:
- Tiredness
- Feeling sick
- Hair loss
- Anaemia
- Sore mouth
Radiation therapy: In this therapy doctor uses a combination of both surgery and radiation. They use a high dose of X-ray to destroy the cancer cell to reduce the tumors before surgery. Along with relief in pain, radiation can also decrease the risk of bone fractures.