Bone Cancer

Among bone cancer bone cancer are understood various types of cancer in the bone tissue. In principle, two types of cancer can be distinguished. The primary bone cancer has its origin in the bone cells and little actually occurs. This affects mainly children and young adults. The secondary bone cancer has its source in tumors in other organs of the body and moved on as metastases in the bone. From secondary bone cancer frequently affects older people.

The formation of a bone cancer

The formation of bone cancer is still unclear done. There are a lot of different causal factors that may contribute to the development of bone cancer. These include certain lifestyle habits, environmental pollution, nuclear radiation and this genetic peculiarity. It is thought to play just for the formation of primary bone cancer, genetic factors play an important role. The primary bone cancer, bone cancer can be two main types of differentiation - Ewing's sarcoma and osteosarcoma. Gene changes in Ewing's sarcoma were on chromosome 13 in the diseased persons detected. Osteosarcoma of affected patients often already before the outbreak of the disease in an impaired bone structure. It is thought that might be the hereditary multiple osteochondroma is a source for the development of osteosarcoma. With multiple osteochondroma it comes to the development of benign tumors of bone and cartilage tissue. The primary bone cancer is the most common malignant tumor in children and young people par excellence, making frequent than osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma occurs. A secondary bone cancer is causally on other cancer tumors, which spread as metastases in the bone tissue. These include breast cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, as well as prostate cancer, bladder cancer or thyroid cancer. Both bone cancers can, as in the bone, and occur in the bone marrow tissue to light.

Symptoms of bone cancer

In both the primary and secondary bone cancer at the show itself as the first disease symptoms of pain, diminished exercise tolerance, unintentional weight loss and deterioration of general condition. The primary bone cancer occurs frequently in addition to swelling, which lead to limited motor skills. Secondary bone cancer does often perceived by unexplained fractures. If one or more of these symptoms, a doctor should be consulted so that he can make a definite diagnosis.

Diagnosis of bone cancer

In addition to a medical history interview and a physical examination, especially imaging tests and blood tests are essential in making diagnosis. The majority are already using an X-ray image to notice the first signs of bone cancer. Typical symptoms are apparent destruction of the constitution and blurred boundaries of the bone. By x-ray may also be possible metastases detected in the lungs. In addition to the X-ray magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and bone scintigraphy are used for diagnosis. MRI and CT are used primarily to obtain more detailed information on the tumor and its size. A bone scan may identify a further cancer spread, or at best exkludieren. In some cases the blood vessels including the aid of an angiography are presented. Also, ultrasound (sonography) is used for diagnosis. Using a blood test can diagnose a variety of information on bone cancer. Is an increase in the enzyme alkaline phosphatase may before, this point to an osteosarcoma. Increased blood cell sedimentation rate, as well as anemia (low red blood cell count) or leukocytosis (too many white blood cells) indicate a Ewing's sarcoma. With evidence of Ewing's sarcoma is usually performed a bone marrow biopsy. Based on this examination, the physician receives information on the spread of the tumor in the bone marrow, which are important for subsequent treatment. Treatment of bone cancer

Treatment of bone cancer

The treatment of bone cancer is always voted adapted to the patient and is usually based on the three more conventional treatments for cancers - chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. In the treatment of primary bone cancer frequently a composite of the three treatments will be applied. The exact treatment depends on the shape and dimensions always the cancer. This may also metastases must be considered in therapy. In an osteosarcoma, a radiation therapy are used only very limited. Therefore, an osteosarcoma is often treated with a combination of chemotherapy and surgery. Most attempts before surgery to shrink the tumor by chemotherapy. After the subsequent surgical removal of the tumor is next, a new chemotherapy. Have formed in an osteosarcoma no metastases, the survival rate is for the globally valid in cancer Five-year survival rate around 60 percent to 70 percent. In the bone metastasis in the affected bones are usually surgically stabilized to reduce risk of breakage. Bisphosphonates also may be administered to stabilize the bone. Radiotherapy for bone cancer is often used alongside drug treatment as pain therapy. The treatment of secondary bone cancer is always determined by the primary tumor. Since the secondary bone cancer always a metastasis, is starting from a primary tumor outside the bone tissue, is the prediction of successful treatment generally poorer than in the treatment of primary bone cancer.

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