Our bones are covered with a fibrous tissue called periosteum, and
we have one layer. Bones contain 2 different cells. One is the
osteoblast, this one develops the bone, and the other is the
osteoclast, which is the one that dissolves the bone. Our bones are
constantly forming, as the old bone is dissolving.
One type of Bone Cancer is Osteosarcome, which affects the Osteoid, locations can be of the knees, upper legs, upper arms.
Another type is Chondrosarcoma, which affects the Cartilage; location can be in the pelvis, upper legs, or shoulders.
Third
type of Bone Cancer is Ewing’s Sarcoma, which affects the immature
nerve tissue, usually in the bone marrow; locations can be in the
pelvis, upper legs, ribs, and arms.
What is Bone Cancer?
Bone
cancer consists of several types of bone tumors. Some tumors are
benign, some are malignant bone tumors, there is yet another one called
malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Osteosarcoma: cancer of the bone
itself. It’s the most common. Chondrosarcoma: This one is in the
cartilage cells and is second most common. Then we have Ewing tumor:
named after Dr. James Ewing. Less than 10% are in other tissues and
organs. This type of cancer develops in the cavity of the bone.
Diagnoses of Bone Cancer
In
order to get the size, shape of the one tumor ad x-ray can be performed
than, then perhaps an MRI, then maybe a bone scan, or an angiogram. A
biopsy should be done to find out if it is cancer.
Treatment
Any treatments depend on locations, type, size, and the stage of the
Bone Cancer. Surgery may be the primary treatment, pre/post operative
chemotherapy. A surgeon may try to avoid amputation and look for bone
cancer section only. Chemotherapy or radiation may be used or both.