Bone cancer is what the medical name is. Early stage bone cancer symptoms

Date: 19.10.2019

Oncological diseases are among the most urgent today. The prevalence of malignant diseases and the complexity of their treatment make the problem extremely important.

Joint and bone cancer is not the most common form of cancer, but the difficulty in diagnosing the disease makes it a common cause of disability and death.

Signs of cancer of the elements of the musculoskeletal system must be known for the timely detection and treatment of pathology.

Bone and joint cancer

All malignant tumors of the musculoskeletal system can be divided into several groups. This must be done, since bone and joint cancer of various types has clinical features.

The most important is the division of bone cancer into primary and metastatic.

Primary cancer of bones and joints develops when atypical cells are initially localized in the area of the musculoskeletal system:

Osteoblastoma and osteosarcoma develop from bone tissue.
Chondrosarcoma and chondroblastoma can form from the cartilage.
From the connective tissue of the ligaments and tendons, fibrosarcoma and histiocytoma are formed.
A special form is that affects children and young people.

Another form of malignant process can be bone metastases of a tumor of other localization. The area of bones and joints in the body is very well supplied with blood, atypical cells are often brought into the musculoskeletal system with the blood flow, and metastases of the primary tumor develop in this area.

Bone and joint cancer has many developmental factors - hereditary predisposition, exposure to chemicals, radiation sickness, and bone injuries.

A large number of people are at risk, so everyone should know the signs of the disease.

Symptoms

The symptoms of the disease are quite varied. Asymptomatic variants of the disease complicate the diagnostic process. Doctors divide any oncological process into 4 stages, each of which has its own prognosis and percentage of recovery.

Unfortunately, bone and joint cancer is very often diagnosed at stages 3 and 4, since the first stages of tumor development are usually asymptomatic.

Sometimes people do not pay attention to the symptoms of the oncological process, since the manifestations are nonspecific and are disguised as other diseases. In order to recognize the pathology and not be mistaken in the diagnosis, all symptoms should be divided into common for any malignant process and specific for a specific localization of the tumor.

Let's try to understand the typical symptoms of cancer of the elements of the musculoskeletal system.

Common symptoms of oncology

Malignant neoplasms can occur in a wide variety of organs and systems. However, everywhere the process has approximately the same development mechanism.

The tumor grows quite aggressively and takes nutrients from healthy tissues. The immune state of the body changes, the metabolism undergoes changes. All this leads to the appearance of general symptoms of the oncological process:

Uncontrolled weight loss. Significant weight loss is one of the most common symptoms of cancer.
Appetite decreases, taste preferences change. Patients often have an aversion to meat.

General weakness, loss of performance, dizziness and nausea appear.
Anemia - The absorption of iron by the tumor, as well as the formation of new brittle vessels with an increased risk of bleeding, lead to the development of anemia. Pallor of the skin, dizziness and weakness develop, fainting may occur.
Sweating - sweating is often observed in patients with severe cancer. Excessive sweating can occur even at low ambient temperatures.
Decreased body resistance. Immunosuppression leads to the development of concomitant infectious diseases. The frequency of colds increases.
Liver dysfunction - intoxication of the body can lead to decompensation of liver function. As a result, jaundice develops, sleep changes and general well-being.
Unreasonable increase in body temperature. Usually subfebrile condition is observed - the temperature rises no higher than 38 degrees, it may not be felt by the patient.

Unfortunately, all of these symptoms very often develop in the late stages of the disease. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the specific signs of a particular type of cancer.

Bone Cancer Symptoms

One of the forms of malignant neoplasms in the area of the musculoskeletal system is cancer of the long bones. Very often, the tumor is located in the area of the diaphysis - the longest part of the bone between two joints.

In this case, the manifestations will be:

Pain of a whining character. Usually mild and transient. May disappear spontaneously. With a large size, the tumor becomes more stubborn and permanent. Painkillers are very weak.
Decreased bone mineral density - osteomalacia and osteoporosis. Not felt by the patient, but can be detected with.
Pathological fractures - tumor growth and destruction of bone tissue leads to the formation of fractures without significant previous trauma. Even a small impact on the bone can cause a fracture.
Enlargement of local lymph nodes. In the subcutaneous tissue of the extremities along the vessels there is a large amount of lymphoid tissue. When the tumor is localized close to it, the lymph nodes increase significantly.
Tumor metastases to other organs and tissues and the appearance of new symptoms.

The listed manifestations can disturb the patient to varying degrees. Sometimes local manifestations are not expressed at all.

Hip Cancer Symptoms

Very often, the oncological process of the musculoskeletal system affects the joints to one degree or another. The area of the hip joint is very often exposed to the tumor process.

In this place there are a large number of vessels, which also contributes to the development of metastases from other foci.

Hip Cancer Symptoms:

Pain in the projection of the joint. Whining, stubborn character.
Feeling of instability in the joint.
Swelling of the surrounding tissue.
Fractures and.
Symptoms are aggravated by stress on the hip area.
Lameness in one leg.
Soreness during active and passive movements.

The correct diagnosis can be made only after an instrumental examination of the hip joint. The joint is deeply surrounded by soft tissue and is not accessible for a full physical examination.

Knee Cancer Symptoms

Another large joint that can become a target for the oncological process is the knee. This area of the body is subject to significant stress and trauma, which is one of the factors in the development of cancer.

Symptoms of a knee tumor are:

Significant severity of pain, which increases with walking and other loads.
Swollen popliteal lymph nodes.
Instability in the joint due to disruption of the work of the intra-articular elements.
Restricted mobility
Swelling and tenderness of the tissues surrounding the joint.
Redness of the skin in the knee area.
Lameness in one leg.

A pathological fracture in the knee joint is rare. The articulation is quite strong, the femur and tibia in the knee are of considerable thickness.

For many, knee cancer is asymptomatic or disguised as orthopedic or rheumatological pathology. However, after instrumental examination of the joint, the diagnosis becomes obvious.

Symptoms of metastatic cancer

Separately, mention should be made of the manifestations of metastatic cancer in the area of bones and joints. This process has a different mechanism of development and some features of the clinical picture:

The first place is usually taken by the symptoms of cancer of another localization - the organs of the female reproductive system, stomach, lungs.
The general symptoms of oncological disease are expressed, since distant metastases in the bone appear at the 4th stage of the tumor.
Local phenomena are less pronounced and are limited to aching pain.
Several different bones or joints are often affected because metastases are multiple.
There is a marked increase in local lymph nodes, since atypical cells, when penetrating into the bone, pass the lymphatic barriers.
The metastatic tumor grows faster and more intensively than the primary one. Within a few months, the process is determined visually.

Bone and joint cancer is a very serious problem. The mortality rate in this pathology is very high, and the diagnosis is usually made rather late.

To detect the process at an early stage, you need to remember about the main manifestations of the disease and, when they appear, contact a specialist. Timely diagnosis can detect bone cancer and initiate therapy.

Bone cancer is a cancer that affects the human skeleton. It is extremely rare in the form of a tumor of the primary type (according to various sources, the share in the total number of cancers does not exceed 1-1.5%).

Primary bone cancer can develop:

From bone cells (osteosarcoma, parostal sarcoma, malignant osteoblastoma);
Cartilage cells (chondrosarcoma);
From cells of fibrous connective tissue (fibrosarcoma);
From bone marrow cells (angioma, lymphoma, Ewing's tumor).

However, the disease of the secondary type is diagnosed much more often. The cause of this form of bone cancer is metastases that penetrate into the skeletal system of the body from other previously affected organs.

The disease occurs mainly in young people under the age of 30 (about 60% of all cancers in the bones). Certain types are found mainly in children and adolescents under 15 years of age (for example, osteosarcoma, the development of which is usually associated with active bone growth). In older people, cancer cells most often affect the bones of the skull.

Cancer can occur in absolutely any bones of the skeleton, but in the overwhelming majority of cases, the tumor is localized in the long bones (femur, tibia, fibula, humerus), in 20% of cases - cancer in the flat bones (ilium and rib bones).

Causes of Bone Cancer

Modern medicine cannot give an exact answer to the question of why bone cancer occurs, but experts identify a number of factors that can increase the risk of developing this disease:

Injuries to the extremities preceding the disease (can contribute to the development of cancer, but the influence of this factor has not been precisely proven);
Chronic inflammatory bone disease (eg, Paget's disease);
Genetic mutations of a hereditary nature;
Ionizing radiation;
Prolonged contact with chemicals that have a carcinogenic effect (for example, with beryllium, radioactive phosphorus, cesium, strontium, radium, etc.);
Age (most often the disease occurs in children and young people aged 17-18);
Growth (some experts note a link between a child's growth and the likelihood of developing osteosarcoma in him);
Umbilical hernia in childhood. According to statistics, Ewing's disease is three times more likely to develop in children born with an umbilical hernia. The reason for this relationship has not yet been precisely identified;
Retinoblastoma, a rare form of retinal cancer that develops in young children from tissues of embryonic origin (children with this cancer have a high chance of developing bone cancer);
Gender (in men, bone tumors are more common than in women);
Ethnicity (African Americans develop the disease less often than Europeans).

And, nevertheless, in most cases, the mechanism of the onset and development of the disease remains unknown.

Bone Cancer Symptoms

The main symptoms of bone cancer are pain in the area of the lesion, the formation of neoplasms in the area of the lesion, and disruption of the normal functioning of the limb.

One of the earliest signs of bone cancer is pain. In the early stages of the disease, it has an unexpressed character, indistinct localization, arises spontaneously and quickly disappears. With the progression of the disease, the pain becomes more and more prolonged and does not stop even in the case of complete immobilization of the limb. A characteristic feature of bone cancer pain is that it worsens at night, while affecting the patient's sleep quality.

The growth of the tumor gradually leads to deformations of the affected area of the body around it or to deformations of the contours of the limb. In most cases, there is swelling of the adjacent soft tissues. Feeling the affected area reveals a static neoplasm, which in some cases can be quite painful. As a rule, the temperature of the skin in the area of the cancerous tumor is higher than in other parts of the body. This is evidence of the course of the inflammatory process. This group of signs of bone cancer usually appears 2-3 months after the onset of pain.

If the tumor reaches an impressive size, the skin above it becomes very thin and becomes pale, the network of dilated blood vessels is clearly visible in it.

When the tumor is localized in the marginal zone of the tubular bone, the movement of the joint adjacent to it becomes difficult and, as a consequence, the process of muscle atrophy begins.

As a complication of the disease, pathological bone fractures can occur, which sometimes occur even as a result of minor injuries.

Other symptoms of bone cancer include signs that are common to all cancers:

Anemia;
Increased fatigue;
Decreased working capacity;
Unexplained weight loss (up to cachexia);
Feverish conditions;
Increased sweating (especially at night);
Nausea, vomiting, the appearance of pain in the abdomen, confusion (these signs of bone cancer are a consequence of hypercalcemia - an increase in the level of calcium in the blood caused by the ingress of calcium salts from the bones into the bloodstream), etc.

Diagnosis of the disease

The following methods are used to diagnose bone cancer:

Biopsy;
MRI of bone and adjacent tissues;
Bone scan;
X-ray examination;
Determination of the level of calcium in the blood;
Test to determine the level of alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme;
Parathyroid hormone test.

Bone Cancer Treatment

Bone cancer has a number of distinctive features that are decisive factors in choosing an appropriate treatment.

First, bone tumors are poorly susceptible to radiation therapy. Therefore, in the treatment of bone cancer, this method is used extremely rarely.

Secondly, the tumor begins to metastasize early and quickly. Therefore, before the surgical treatment of bone cancer, the patient is prescribed a course of chemotherapy, which will reduce the number of cancer cells and reduce the size of the tumor. After the operation, a second course of chemotherapy is required.

The extent of the surgical intervention directly depends on the stage at which the disease was diagnosed. In this case, very often it is not possible to save the patient's limb.

Bone cancer - prognosis

In bone cancer, the prognosis for the patient depends on how quickly the disease is detected and how correct the treatment is.

Isolated, without metastases, bone cancer is not the cause of death of the patient. The survival rate at this stage is 75-80%.

Later, the disease is accompanied by the process of metastasis. In this case, bone cancer metastases affect adjacent and removed tissues and organs, spreading throughout the body. At this stage of bone cancer, survival projections for patients do not exceed 40%.

Bone cancer is an oncological pathology characterized by the development of a malignant neoplasm. Tumors are of several types, differing from each other in the characteristics of the course. The disease is diagnosed quite rarely.

Classification of pathology

Bone tumors are divided into several classifications. First of all, it is worth noting that the neoplasm can be primary, that is, it can develop independently, or secondary, that is, it can be a metastasis from a tumor located in some internal organ.

Also, bone cancer is classified into the following types:

Ewing's sarcoma. The pathology of the bone skeleton is striking. Most often, children aged 10-15 years suffer from such oncology. The neoplasm develops rapidly, gives metastases, and is considered the most aggressive form of cancer.
Osteosarcoma. Malignant cells are formed at the expense of bone tissue. People of different ages face the disease. Malignant bone tumor also metastases early and progresses rapidly.
Parostal sarcoma. It is rare, has a slow development, a low level of aggressiveness. The knee joint is most often affected.
Chondrosarcoma. It is diagnosed often, affects more elderly patients. The basis of cancer cells is cartilage tissue.
Chordoma. It is characterized by a slow course, practically does not metastasize, but is prone to relapses and the development of complications.

Causes

To date, only the factors that provoke the development of bone cancer are known. These include:

Hereditary pathologies.
Precancerous bone conditions. Most often, this is Paget's disease, which leads to an overgrowth of bone tissue. It occurs in people over the age of 50.
The effect of intense radiation on the body.
Bone marrow transplantation.
Benign bone tumors.
Bone damage.

The exact cause of the malignant bone tumor is unknown. Scientists are still working on this issue, conducting various scientific studies. There is an assumption that degeneration occurs due to changes in the DNA of cells.

Symptoms

The first symptom of bone cancer is the manifestation of pain at the site of the neoplasm when it is pressed. The manifestation occurs already at the middle stage of the course of the disease. The patient can already feel the tumor in the affected area.

With the development of pathology, pain in itself worries. At first, it is weak in intensity, then it becomes stronger. It is characterized by rapid emergence and disappearance. Soreness is aching or dull.

Pain syndrome increases at night, as well as after physical exertion. The pain can be localized not only at the site of the lesion, but also be given to the nearest parts of the body.

In addition to pain, the symptoms of bone cancer are manifested in the following:

Limited movement of the joints.
Swelling in the affected area.
Soreness in the abdomen.
Nausea.
Frequent bone fractures.
Swelling of soft tissues.

There are also common signs of bone cancer that are not specific to the development of oncology. These include intense weight loss, general weakness, rapid fatigue, and decreased appetite.

If the process of metastasis begins, then symptoms and signs of bone cancer appear, indicating a dysfunction of one or another organ. For example, with metastases in the patient's lungs, breathing problems are tormented, in the brain - dizziness, headache, in the digestive organs - stool disorders.

Diagnostics

Often, a bone tumor is detected by chance when X-rays are taken with suspicion of other diseases or injuries. After all, the symptoms may not manifest themselves for a long time, which interferes with the timely detection of a neoplasm.

If you suspect the development of a bone tumor, the doctor prescribes the following diagnostic measures:

Laboratory blood test.
Radiography.
Computer and magnetic resonance imaging.
Ultrasound procedure.
Biopsy with histology.

Such a complex of cancer diagnostics allows you to accurately determine whether bone tumors have a malignant course, where they are located, what is their type, size and shape.

Treatment activities

Bone cancer treatment is prescribed depending on the stage and type of pathology. The following therapeutic measures are used:

Surgery. During the operation, the doctor removes the neoplasm along with the adjacent healthy tissue. With extensive lesions of the legs, arms or jaw, amputation is required, after which the issue of prosthetics is resolved.
Radiation therapy. The procedure is the effect of rays on the lesion, which leads to the death of cancer cells. This treatment for bone cancer minimally affects healthy tissue, thus avoiding serious side effects. Depending on the development of oncology, remote or internal radiation is used.
Chemical therapy. It involves the destruction of cells by aggressive drugs, most often injected into the blood. The active substances of drugs are distributed throughout the body, therefore, they also negatively affect healthy cells. As a result, the patient experiences adverse reactions that can be quite severe.

The operation does not absolutely guarantee that bone tumors will not develop again. Therefore, radiation or chemical therapy is given after the tumor has been removed to kill the remaining malignant cells.

Alternative medicine methods

As an additional method in the fight against bone oncology, folk remedies are used. They help eliminate the symptoms of bone and joint cancer, improve the patient's overall well-being, eliminate the side effects of chemotherapy, and boost the immune system.

Hemlock tincture is excellent in the treatment of oncological neoplasms in the bones. To prepare it, you need to grind the stems and leaves, fill 1/3 of a three-liter jar with them, pour vodka to the neck. Place the product in a dark place to infuse for 2 weeks.

On the first day of therapy, dissolve one drop in a glass of warm water and drink in the morning. On the second day, add two drops to the water, on the third - three. Continue increasing the dose daily until it reaches 40 drops. After that, you need to reduce the dosage in the same way.

There are also local remedies in folk medicine:

Bake the onion in the oven, knead it, add a little birch tar and "Star" balsam. Apply the product to the diseased bone and bandage it. Carry out the procedure every day in the evening.
Pour a handful of goldenrod with water, add a little lemon juice, cook for 15 minutes. In the resulting product, soak gauze, attach to a sore spot and insulate from above.

Traditional medicines are an auxiliary method of treating a malignant disease. In no case should one abandon traditional medicine in favor of home medicine, since the latter is not able to rid the body of cancer cells in a short time.

Forecast and prevention

The prognosis for bone cancer is different for each patient. It depends on the stage of development of the pathology, its type, size, the presence of metastasis. If the tumor is detected in a timely manner, then most patients can live over 5 years. In the later stages, the prognosis deteriorates sharply. Stage 4 bone cancer often lasts several months.

Doctors do not know the exact cause of bone cancer, so they cannot give them recommendations for the absolute prevention of this disease. But doctors strongly advise avoiding factors that can provoke the development of a neoplasm.

For this, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle, play sports, avoid exposure to radiation and harmful substances. In the event of any pathological processes in the bone tissue or injury, treatment should be started immediately.

Bone cancer is a dangerous pathology in which not a minute can be lost. Only early treatment will allow a person to recover and live many more happy years.

Cancer is not a death sentence these days. Most types of malignant tumors have been fully studied, and the chances of being completely cured have increased significantly. Leg bone cancer is a generalized definition of malignant neoplasms that affect bone and cartilage tissue.

Types of leg bone cancer: symptoms and treatment

Leg cancer develops mainly in young people and adolescents and accounts for 2% of all bone oncology. In most cases, it is considered metastatic. This means that the bone tissue is affected by a tumor from another organ, as a result of its hematogenous spread. If a neoplasm develops inside bone cells, then the cancer is called primary. There are times when the leg arises from bone marrow cells.

Most often, the disease affects the body at the stage of its intensive growth and during puberty. It should be noted that young men are several times more susceptible to the disease than girls.

In 60% of cases, the legs are diagnosed - it is a malignant tumor affecting the tubular bones of the leg. A tumor forms in the growth area of the bone, for example, near the knee joint or at the lower end of the femur.

Types of leg bone oncology

It is customary to distinguish between benign and malignant tumors. If benign ones often require only observation, then malignant ones need urgent treatment.

Malignant tumors have a rapid rate of growth, development and metastasis throughout the body. In the absence of adequate treatment, metastases primarily affect the lungs.

There are the following types of leg bone cancer:

Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor that originates from bone tissue. It is currently the most common tumor of the leg bones. It is often primary education. It is prone to an aggressive course and rapid metastasis, affecting in most cases the long tubular bones of the legs. The development of the disease is long-term, in the initial stages it is manifested by pain, the same as in rheumatism, then there is swelling, limitation of mobility. With a certain period of time, the pain intensifies, metastases appear. Complex treatment: surgery in addition to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

It is one of the most common cancers of the bones of the skeleton. Comes from cartilage tissue. It occurs in the bones of the pelvic and shoulder girdle, tubular bones. Degeneration of a benign tumor into a chondrosarcoma is possible. Symptoms are as follows: severe pain of an increasing nature, swelling at the site of the lesion, increased body temperature, expansion of the saphenous vein network over the tumor area, restriction of movement in the nearby joint. Treatment includes: surgery combined with chemotherapy and radiation therapy before and after surgery.

It occurs during the growth and puberty of a person. It affects long and flat tubular bones. The tumor is aggressive, prone to early metastasis. The causes of Ewing's sarcoma are considered traumas of a different nature and genetic abnormalities. Symptoms are as follows: pain, swelling and swelling in the affected area, as well as local expansion of the venous network. Pathological fractures are possible at 3 - 4 stages. Treatment includes: radiation of the tumor in combination with chemotherapy. Sometimes operations are performed.

- oncological tumor of connective tissue origin. It accounts for about 7% of all. There are two types: intraosseous and parosteal. It develops in the bones of the skull and long bones. Fibrosarcoma is confined to the surrounding tissue and is a dense, round, painless, and small lumpy nodule. Highly differentiated tumors proceed favorably, which cannot be said about poorly differentiated ones, which give metastases, both by lymphogenous and hematogenous pathways. The treatment is combined and includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

- one of the most common types of sarcomas. 40% accounts for the share of fibrous histiocytoma among. It is characterized by slow growth, but in some cases it is capable of rapid development and spread throughout the body. It is localized in the internal organs, limbs, retroperitoneal space. This tumor is capable of affecting all bones of the skeleton, but the bones of the lower extremities are affected in 72%. Metastasizes to lymph nodes, bones, lungs. It is manifested by a tumor, pain at the site of the lesion, possibly a functional disorder of the joint and bone fractures. With a tumor of external origin, there is a swelling in the affected area, a change in skin color. Complex treatment.

Causes of Leg Bone Cancer

The causes of leg cancer can be many, some of them are justified, while others are subject to doubts and disputes between doctors and scientists.

For example, the occurrence of a tumor due to trauma and fracture of the bones of the legs is questionable. Some believe that trauma is a prerequisite for cancer, while others argue that trauma is only a factor in the manifestation of a tumor, due to the increased sensitivity of this area.

It is customary to distinguish the following causes of leg bone cancer:

the impact of environmental factors. These factors include: lifestyle (smoking, drinking alcohol and drugs), food quality, water and air pollution, chemicals;
frequent injuries and bone fractures;
radioactive radiation is higher than permissible standards. Radioactive radiation can cause the formation of a secondary or metastatic tumor. This also includes radiation during treatment of another primary tumor;
heredity. The hereditary predisposition to the formation of bone oncology is mainly determined by the presence of the RB1 gene;
chronic diseases of bone tissue. The presence of chronic bone disease is not the underlying cause of the development of a malignant tumor. It is believed that the risk of cancer in this case is much lower than when smoking;
pre-cancer bone diseases (eg, Paget's disease);
bone marrow transplantation.

The cause of secondary cancer of the bones of the legs is the metastasis of the tumor from and, as well as, less often - from other internal organs.

Informative video

Leg bone cancer symptoms

In our article, we examined the symptoms of bone sarcomas, which most often affect the bones of the legs.

Regardless of the type of tumor, the common symptoms of leg bone cancer are expressed in the same way:

aching pains that can be localized in the affected area or radiate to other parts of the body;
decreased physical activity;
increased body temperature;
weight loss;
deterioration in appetite, or refusal to eat at all;
a change in the appearance of the skin over the affected area - it becomes thinner, due to which the venous network begins to shine through.

In the early stages, the signs of leg bone cancer may not appear, which is the main danger. Very often, at the first manifestations of the disease, people do not go to the doctor and self-medicate. It has been established that from the first pain symptoms to the diagnosis, it takes from 6 to 12 months, and this is a precious time.

The specific symptoms of leg bone cancer are:

leg pain that gets worse with exertion;
limitation of mobility of the affected limb;
the manifestation of edema on the skin, or protrusion of the tumor;
fracture of bones, which indicates a later stage of the disease (3 - 4 stage).

Diagnosis of leg bone cancer

Many of the Internet users, when they experience ailments or pains of various kinds, begin to engage in self-diagnosis. However, it is worth noting that leg cancer cannot be identified from the photo. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis with the help of special tests and diagnostic procedures.

Diagnosis of bone cancer begins with physical examination and palpation of the lesion. The doctor should check the mobility of the joints and their condition, assess the appearance of the skin.

After the examination, the following tests are prescribed:

general blood analysis;
Analysis of urine;
blood test for.

To make a diagnosis, the following procedures are carried out:

X-ray in the area of tumor localization;
CT, MRI;
a skeletal scan is a test that locates a tumor. A radioactive substance is injected into the bloodstream, which is absorbed by the bone tissue. The scanner then monitors the passage of the contrast agent through the bone. This method allows you to identify even the smallest neoplasms and metastases;
biopsy. There are two ways of biopsy - open and. An open biopsy requires surgery, in which an incision is made in the soft tissue of the patient under anesthesia to allow access to tumor cells. During the puncture, local anesthesia is done and, with the help of a special needle, a sample of the tumor is taken. The resulting samples are then examined under a microscope.

Leg Bone Cancer Treatment

Early diagnosis is an important factor in the successful treatment of leg bone cancer. Treatment methods are selected individually, depending on the stage and presence of metastases. To date, a number of methods have been developed for the treatment of cancerous tumors.

Surgical intervention. It is used in the overwhelming majority of cases of the disease in order to separate malignant cells from healthy ones. Modern technologies make it possible, instead of amputation of the affected limb, to replace bones with metal implants. With small volumes of lesions, tissues from other parts of the body or from a bone bank are used for reconstruction.

Chemotherapy. It is the administration of drugs that stop the growth of tumor cells and prevent metastasis.

Radiation therapy. It is carried out in order to kill cancer cells. X-rays only affect the affected tissue.

Often, these methods are used sequentially, first, an operation is performed to remove the tumor, then radiation therapy. Chemotherapy can be given either before surgery or after radiation therapy, depending on the amount of tissue affected.

Life prognosis for leg bone cancer

Life expectancy for people with leg cancer depends on the location of the tumor, its stage of development and the presence of metastases.

The prognosis in the early stages of cancer is most favorable. The five-year survival rate is 65 - 80% of patients. Some seek a complete cure. When metastases are detected, life expectancy is reduced to 30-40%.

But do not forget that cancer tends to recur, so all patients who have undergone treatment need to undergo periodic scheduled checks.

Informative video

The development of a malignant tumor in the skeletal system is called bone cancer, which most often occurs in young men - smokers under 35 years of age and in children and adolescents. What is cancer is a secondary tumor against the background of malignancy of oncological processes in any of the muscles of the human skeleton and metastases to nearby organs.

This is one of the most dangerous types of cancer with a tendency to grow and progress rapidly in the early stages. Although there may be little or no symptoms.

According to statistics, a rare form of pathology, conception occurs in only 1% of people. Basically, bone cancer is secondary in the spread of cancer cells into the skeleton by the lymphogenous or hematogenous route.

Almost any bone tissue is susceptible to localization of a tumor-like neoplasm with rapid and uncontrolled cell division, the formation of an outgrowth with uneven boundaries on the bone with capture on the surrounding tissues: cartilage, muscles, ligaments. If in young people the tumor affects more of the lower extremities, then people in old age risk getting a cancer focus in the bones of the skull.

Why bone cancer develops

Scientists have not fully elucidated the pathogenesis of the primary localization of the tumor in cartilage and bone cells. The development of a secondary reactor is possible due to:

hereditary factor caused by RB1 gene mutation;
bone marrow transplant;
mechanical damage to the skeleton bone;
exposure to electromagnetic fields, high-dose ion irradiation;
Paget's disease caused by the development of pathology in the bone tissue.

Geneticists do not name the exact reasons for the localization of the tumor in the bones. However, the start of the malignant process is facilitated by a modification in DNA structures, mutations, an innate factor. Acquired with bone cancer - symptoms and manifestations are due to lifestyle, exposure to the provoking factors listed above. People with:

congenital genetic abnormalities;
Holmes syndrome, leading to bone damage;
injuries, fractures, leading to the development of a secondary cancerous tumor at a young age.

Bone cancer quickly metastases to different parts of the skeleton, leads to the development of lipoma, hemangioma, fibrosarcoma (benign or malignant) tumor.

If in the first case, the neoplasm has clear boundaries, the correct shape, does not give metastases, is completely safe and quickly treated, then the malignant form is prone to cell degeneration, their rapid and aggressive growth, growth in the surrounding tissues, inevitably leading to death.

Bone cancer by type

The types are distinguished:

chordoma with the development of embryonic tissue particles with localization on the sacrum, skull bones. The form is found in young people under 30 years old. This is a benign neoplasm of bones and joints, which is not able to recur and give complications;
chondrosarcoma, growing from cartilage to the tibia, tubular or bony structures of bones, causing edema. The process has a favorable course. Initially, the tumor grows rather slowly. But if you do not act, then in the future it begins to grow steadily, to give multiple metastases. It is more common in people 40-60 years old. The onset of this type of cancer in the skeletal system manifests itself quite suddenly and almost anywhere;
fibrosarcoma with localization, on muscles, tendons, connective tissue sheath. Differs in rapid progression, spreading to bone tissue. The most susceptible to fibrosarcoma are women with localization of the neoplasm on the legs, feet;
fibrous histiocytoma as a type of cancer of the leg bone, retroperitoneal space, trunk, tubular bones, knee joint. A bone fracture, cracks can provoke the disease. Differs in an aggressive course with metastasis and lung damage
osteosarcoma with tumor localization in the bone elements of the lower extremities, plea, pelvic bones, knee joints, nails. The occurrence is possible at any age, more often in children 10-12 years old, adolescents during the growth of the skeleton.
giant cell osteoblastoma, affecting the limb, growing in adjacent tissues. Usually the tumor has a benign course, does not give metastases, and is well removed by surgery. But it is possible to re-grow in the same place in the future.
myeloma, characterized by rapid and uncontrolled cell division in the bone marrow, leading to pathological changes in bone structures, the development of osteoporosis, and rapid bone fractures
lymphoma with tumor localization in the lymph nodes with rapid damage to bone tissue.

Bone cancer by stage

Like any other cancer process, bone oncology has a 4-stage course:

Stage 1 is characterized by the presence of a neoplasm without going beyond the limits of the bone, reaching a tumor in size not more than 8 cm.

Stage 2 with the localization of the tumor in the bone, but with cells prone to malignancy.

Stage 3 with the spread of the neoplasm to nearby areas, with the penetration of cancer cells into the regional lymph nodes.

Stage 4 with metastasis to any internal organs, damage to the fallopian tubes, mammary glands, lungs, kidneys, liver, testicles, ovaries.

How to recognize pathology

Symptoms of bone cancer directly depend on the stage, type, and degree of the malignant process. First of all, a person begins to complain about:

bone pain at night radiating to the lower back, muscles, joints
stiffness of movements that cannot be eliminated even by analgesics
the appearance of deformation in parts of the location of the tumor
redness, a hot state of the growth under the skin, which indicates the development of the inflammatory process;
violation of the functionality of the joint;
discomfort while walking;
difficulties in extending, bending the arms, turning the body;
toxicosis;
weakness, irritability;
high fever, fever;
decreased appetite, rapid weight loss;
fragility of bones, instability before bruises and injuries.

Iliac cancer leads to shortness of breath, difficulty in performing normal work, and other activities.

Cancer of the leg bone leads to lameness, inability to bend the limbs, severe pain at the site of inflammation and localization of the tumor.

With cancer of the upper extremities, soreness appears in the hands, overexertion from minor performance of any work.

Possible:

fractures, bruises
pains in the hands, begin to appear at night in the case of pressure, also depending on the location of the lesion in the area, pelvis, buttocks, spine with intensification during physical exertion, walking;
limitation of mobility of the radial, elbow, shoulder or wrist joint;
fragility to fracture even with a slight fall
joint stiffness; swelling of the limbs; swelling of the limbs;
soreness in the abdomen;
approaches of nausea and vomiting with the penetration of calcium salts into the bloodstream;
temperature increase;
rapid weight loss;
joint swelling and soft tissue swelling;
immobility of the affected area on palpation;
pallor, thinning of the integument of the skin, the appearance of a marble vascular pattern upon reaching an impressive tumor;
weakness, tiredness, lethargy, drowsiness
breathing disorder.

The signs of bone cancer are usually mild. Even at stages 2-3, the disease manifests itself in the form of a minor malaise, to which many people simply do not pay any attention. Seeks medical attention when cancer of the hip bone, lower leg, foot, hands goes too far and treatment becomes difficult.

It begins to ache in joints, bones, complex and irreversible processes are triggered. Over time, lameness, respiratory distress, limitation of joint mobility, up to paralysis and disability appear.

Of course, when unpleasant symptoms appear in the bone skeleton, it is necessary to see a doctor as soon as possible to undergo an X-ray, a full examination for cancer, and the possible development of bone oncology. Based on the scan results and received, the doctor diagnoses bone cancer, and the diagnosis and treatment tactics are developed later by the doctor.

How to treat

Treatment directly depends on the type, place of concentration of the tumor, the patient's age, the presence of other chronic diseases, symptoms and pain radiating to nearby areas, shoulder, arm, leg. In severe cases, when bone cancer symptoms and a strong manifestation are present, one cannot do without an operation to amputate the affected hand or leg, followed by the appointment of a course of chemotherapy to completely destroy the surviving cancer cells.

The main goal of the surgeon is to achieve maximum destruction of cancer cells and prevent the left of metastases that can lead to the onset of tumor development again.

It is possible to remove a tumor with nearby healthy tissues by performing a wide excision - excision when the tumor is localized in the skull or spine. Scraping of the tumor from the bone is carried out without removing the nearby areas.

When the tumor is localized in the pelvic region, excision is performed with further restoration of bone tissue and the use of a bone graft.

The method of treatment depends on the degree of the tumor, the condition of the lymph nodes. Targeted therapy is indicated for patients with stage 4 cancer with the aim of destroying cells, if the initial operation to excision of the tumor did not lead to favorable results.

Chemotherapy is prescribed for diagnosing sarcoma, chondrosarcoma by administering drugs: Methotrexate, Etoposide, Carboplatin, Doxorubicin.

The 5-year milestone in stage 1-2 chondrosarcoma is 80% and it is possible to achieve a stable remission.

At stage 3-4, the forecasts are already worse. Survival within 5 years - in 30 - 40% of cases.

Patients faced with a tumor in the bone need the help of relatives and friends. Bone oncology as a diagnosis leads many patients to fear, nervousness about the possible return of cancer, even after undergoing a full-fledged treatment course.

A cancerous tumor can stay in the bones for a long time without making itself felt. When pains that do not respond to analgesics appear, you should no longer delay visiting a doctor. It is always easier to get rid of cancer only in the initial stages of the oncological process.