Just mentioning any type of cancer can strike fear into anyone's heart. Everyone knows someone who is fighting or has succumbed to the disease.

There are many different variations of cancer, and the type of cell where the cancer begins, as well as the location of the tumor, may dictate the course of the disease and the method(s) of treatment required to treat it. The kind of cancer and location of the tumor also may affect symptoms and severity of the diagnosis.

Bone Cancer

Bone cancer is a type of mass that grows in and affects the bones. There are a few different types of bone cancer, listed below.

• Ewing’s sarcoma: In this type of bone cancer, tumors are often located in the arms, legs or pelvis. This is a type of cancer that affects young adults and children, and the origin of the disease is unknown.
• Chondrosarcoma: This cancer strikes mainly middle-aged or older adults. The tumors, which affect cartilage cells, typically are found in the arms, legs and pelvis of the affected individual.
• Osteosarcoma: Affecting mainly young adults and children, osteosarcoma originates in the cells of the bone and most often begins in the arms or legs.

The cause of bone cancer is still unknown, and early treatment is an important factor in increasing the chances of recovery. There are some factors that have been identified as risks factors of bone cancer, including certain genetic syndromes or diseases of the bone, or radiation for another type of cancer. Understanding the common warning signs of bone cancer is important to helping people identify the disease early in its existence and seek proper medical care.


10 Symptoms of Bone Cancer

There are some typical symptoms that may signal the existence of bone cancer. It is important to understand these symptoms for yourself or your child and seek immediate medical advice at the first signs of illness.

1. Pain: This is the number-one symptom of bone cancer. It may begin slowly and might not elicit much attention from the sufferer at first. Often, the pain starts in the night hours or after the person has been physically active and gets increasingly more difficult to ignore. As the tumor grows in size, the pain will increase and become more persistent. However, in some cases, the individual shrugs off the pain, and medical intervention is not sought for a period of months or even years.
2. Swelling: Depending on where the tumor is located, the patient may complain of swelling or feel a lump in the affected area. If you ever feel a lump or notice unusual and unexplainable swelling, notify your physician and schedule an appointment to have an examination.
3. Numbness or tingling: A mass can put pressure on the nerves and blood vessels that reside nearby, causing a feeling of tenderness, tingling or lack of sensation. This type of discomfort is a warning sign that something is interfering with the body’s natural flow of blood and internal communications and warrants a trip to the doctor for advice and potential testing.
4. Bone fractures: The pressure the mass places on the bone can cause the bone to suddenly fracture and will cause extreme pain in the area of the break. An unexplained fracture is often a red flag for bone cancer or other serious bone disease.
5. Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss: Cancer is often accompanied by other physical symptoms that may not directly indicate the location of the tumor or mass that is growing inside the patient. Weight loss that was not planned and is not expected is a signal that the body is not functioning properly, and loss of appetite in a previously healthy eater is a symptom worth examining more closely.
6. Fatigue: A general feeling of being unwell, being exhausted or an overall lack of energy can be symptoms of a more serious health concern. If you’ve been feeling symptoms of fatigue, you should discuss this ailment, as well as any others, with your physician.
7. Limited movement: If you suddenly feel a loss of mobility in an arm or leg, you may have a mass that is putting pressure on your joint or is causing swelling that may limit your ability to move. A doctor can order tests such as an x-ray or MRI that will be able to identify any cause for this complaint.
   

8. Unexplained limp: A patient may experience a sudden limp without having sustained an injury. In this case, there may be bone cancer present in the affected leg.
9. Fever or night sweats: While these symptoms could be the result of many different health concerns, ongoing bouts of fever or recurring night sweats may be an indication of cancerous cells in the body.
10. Trouble breathing or swallowing: In cases where the cancer is affecting the bones of the neck, the throat can become constricted and cause a feeling of swollenness or tightness.

If you or someone you love complains of any of these symptoms, it is best to consult a physician as soon as possible. Early intervention typically offers the best outcome for the patient and gives the medical team the most time to work toward a complete recovery.

Be sure to list all complaints and ailments prior to your appointment and never downplay the amount of pain you have or underestimate the amount of time you’ve been suffering from the symptoms. Prepare for your appointment by making notes and take a list of questions with you to ask the doctor. Opening lines of communication with your physicians will benefit you or your loved one throughout the diagnosis and treatment process.