 Bone cancer is a tumor forming on the outside of a bone.  There are different types of Benign tumors: › Osteoid osteoma › Osteoblastoma › Osteochondroma › Enchondroma › Chondromyxoid fibroma  There are also different types of Malignant bone tumors: › Osteosarcoma › Chondrosarcoma › Ewing tumor › Malignant fibrous histiocytoma › Fibrosarcoma › Chordoma

 People with a close relative (parent or sibling) who has/had bone cancer.  Patients who have received radiation therapy (radiotherapy).  People with a history of Paget's Disease - a disorder that involves abnormal bone destruction and regrowth.  Individuals with hereditary renoblastoma - a type of eye cancer that most commonly affects very young children.  Babies born with an umbilical hernia.

 Some symptoms/effects of bone cancer: › Joint tenderness or inflammation › Fractures due to bone weakness › Fever › Unintentional weight-loss › Fatigue › Anemia

 The TNMG System › T stands for features of the t umor (its size and if it is in more than one spot on the bone). › N stands for spread to the lymph n odes. › M is for m etastasis (spread) to other organs. › G is for the tumor’s g rade.

 TX: Primary tumor can't be measured.  T0: No evidence of the tumor.  T1: Tumor is 8 cm (around 3 inches) or less.  T2: Tumor is larger than 8 cm.  T3: Tumor is in more than one place on the same bone.

 N0: The cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes near the tumor.  N1: The cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

 M0: The cancer has not spread anywhere outside of the bone or nearby lymph nodes.  M1: Distant metastasis (the cancer has spread).  M1a: The cancer has spread only to the lung.  M1b: The cancer has spread to other sites (like the brain, the liver, etc.).

 G1-G2: Low grade.  G3-G4: High grade.

 All stage I tumors are low grade and have not yet spread outside of the bone.  Stage IA: T1, N0, M0, G1-G2: The tumor is 8 cm or less.  Stage IB: T2 or T3, N0, M0, G1-G2: The tumor is either larger than 8 cm or it is in more than one place on the same bone.

 Stage II tumors have not spread outside the bone (like Stage I) but are high grade.  Stage IIA: T1, N0, M0, G3-G4: The tumor is 8 cm or less.  Stage IIB: T2, N0, M0, G3-G4: The tumor is larger than 8 cm.

 Stage III tumors have not spread outside the bone but are in more than one place on the same bone.  Stage III: T3, N0, M0, G3-G4: They are high grade.

 Stage IV tumors have spread outside of the bone they started in. They can be any grade.  Stage IVA: Any T, N0, M1a, G1-G4: The tumor has spread to the lung.  Stage IVB: Any T, N1, any M, G1-G4 OR Any T, any N, M1b, G1-G4: The tumor has spread to nearby lymph nodes or to distant sites other than the lung (or both).

 The first step to detecting bone cancer is locating the pain. The most common symptom for bone cancer is an inconstant pain in the affected bone.  The next most noticeable symptom that can lead to the detection of bone cancer is swelling. Depending upon where the tumor is located, the swelling may be accompanied by a lump beneath the skin.  Once pain and swelling has taken place, alert a doctor to the potential for bone cancer, detection may take place with X- rays.  The CT scan is more useful than traditional X-rays for detecting the spread of cancer throughout the bone.  A biopsy is the process of extracting tissue from the tumor so that it can be analyzed with a microscope to completely confirm that cancer is present and the pain and swelling are not being caused by some other disease or infection.

 Surgery  Chemotherapy  Radiation therapy  Cryosurgery- liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill the cells.

 The most common treatment used to treat the cancer is surgery. The goal of surgery is to remove the whole tumor and a surrounding area of the bone. A pathologist then examines it to see if it is normal bone completely surrounding the tumor. If any of the cancer cells are left behind, it could continue to grow and spread. If it is surrounded by normal cells, there is a much better chance that the entire tumor has been removed. Before the discovery of newer techniques, amputations were frequently used to remove bone cancer. Now, in many cases, the tumor can just be removed with a small sliver of the bone. Depending on how much bone is removed, the surgeon will put something there to replace the missing bone (bone cement; bone graft).

 Check the family history. A genetic condition called Paget’s disease increases the risk of bone cancer. If any of the family members have suffered from this disease, the other members might as well submit for examination to verify the presence or absence of the same disorder.  Practice a healthy lifestyle. Stay away from any type of drug. Tobacco smoking is one of the common risk factors that cause cancer. Limit alcohol intake and eliminate stress.  Avoid exposure to chemotherapy and radiation. These two procedures are regarded as real, risk factors for bone cancer. Both can damage not only the cancer cells but the healthy cells as well.

 Indulge in a healthy diet. Oftentimes, cancer is triggered by having a very poor diet. When processed foods packed with preservatives are consumed, it increases the risk of cancer. Nothing beats a healthy diet full of fresh vegetables and fruits.  Take herbs that strengthen the immune system. Herbs such as: green tea, ginseng, red clover, and fermented wheat germ extract are known for their cancer-preventive properties.  Submit to regular medical checkups. Taking a yearly, general checkup helps in determining the development of any suspected disease. Regular cancer screening is very important, especially if there are noticeable symptoms.

 Not all bone tumors are cancerous.

 Cancer Treatment Centers of America  DailyStrength Support Groups  American Childhood Cancer Organization Support Community  Life with Cancer Support Community

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