Bone neoplasms
Overview
new abnormal bone tissue that grows by excessive cellular division and proliferation more rapidly than normal and continues to grow after the stimuli that initiated the new growth cease; includes tumors or cancer located in bone tissue or specific bones.
Symptoms
* Pain * Tenderness * Swelling * Pathological fracture * Night pain * Asymptomatic in early stages * Joint swelling * Joint tenderness * Weakened bones * Fractures * Movement problems * Fatigue * Fever * Weight loss * Anemia * Bone pain * Bone tenderness * Bone lump
Causes
Causes of primary malignant bone tumors are unknown. Some researchers suggest that primary malignant bone tumors arise in areas of rapid growth because children and young adults with such tumors seem to be much taller than average. Additional theories point to heredity, trauma, and excessive radiotherapy.
Prognosis
* Deaths: 1,300 (USA annual deaths calculated from this data: 1,300 estimated deaths for bone/joint cancer in the US 2004 (Cancer Facts and Figures, American Cancer Society, 2004)) * Incidence: 2,399 (USA annual incidence calculated from this data: 2,400 annual cases (SEER 2002 estimate: bones and joints) * 54.2% (ratio of deaths to incidence).
Treatment
Excision of the tumor with a 3"(7.6 cm) margin is the treatment of choice. It may be combined with preoperative chemo-therapy. In some patients, radical surgery (such as hemipelvectomy or amputation) is necessary; however, surgical resection of the tumor (commonly with preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy) has saved limbs from amputation. Intensive chemotherapy includes administration of doxorubicin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, dacarbazine, and etoposide in various combinations. Chemotherapy may be infused intra-arterially into the long bones of the legs.