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- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology: Sarcoma: Clinical State-of-the-Art
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology: Sarcoma: Clinical State-of-the-Art
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Early Bone Cancer Symptoms
Bone cancer is a malignant tumor that destroys healthy bone tissue 7. In contrast to metastatic cancer that starts in another part of the body and only later spreads to the bone, the term bone cancer or primary bone cancer refers to cancer that originates in the bone itself 2. Bone cancer is rare -- in 2015, it will account for about 0.2 percent of all newly diagnosed cancers, according to estimates from the National Cancer Institute 1. Pain and swelling are typical early symptoms in all 3 of the most common bone cancers -- osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma 2.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Pain
At first, the pain of bone cancer may come and go 23. It may get worse at night, or with movement. For example, a person may feel leg pain while walking, which may result in limping. As the tumor grows and presses on healthy tissue, the pain becomes stronger and more constant. Although pain is the most common symptom of bone cancer, not all people with bone cancer experience pain. Symptoms vary depending on the size and location of the tumor, as well. Tumors in the head, spine or pelvic bones may not become particularly painful until later in the course of the disease.
- At first, the pain of bone cancer may come and go 2.
- Although pain is the most common symptom of bone cancer, not all people with bone cancer experience pain.
Swelling
Bone Cancer of the Tibia Symptoms
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A bone tumor growing in or near a joint may cause the affected joint to swell and become tender or stiff. Such symptoms can limit a person's ability to move his limb. It may even be possible to feel a lump in the area, which can be painful when touched. If a tumor forms in the bones of the neck, it can cause difficulty with swallowing and breathing. Pain and swelling do not always emerge together. Swelling may sometimes appear weeks after the onset of pain.
- A bone tumor growing in or near a joint may cause the affected joint to swell and become tender or stiff.
Fractures and Other Uncommon Early Symptoms
Bone tumors weaken the bones in which they are growing and may eventually cause the bones to break. Sudden, severe pain in a limb that had been sore for a while may indicate a bone fracture. However, bone fractures are uncommon until later stages of bone cancer. Other relatively late symptoms of bone cancer may include fever, weight loss, anemia -- a low number of red blood cells -- and tiredness 23.
- Bone tumors weaken the bones in which they are growing and may eventually cause the bones to break.
- Sudden, severe pain in a limb that had been sore for a while may indicate a bone fracture.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Signs & Symptoms of Shoulder Injuries
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Seek immediate medical care if you think you have suffered a broken bone. Also seek emergency care for any problems with swallowing or breathing. You should seek prompt medical attention if you have bone pain or swelling that doesn't go away or worsens over time, if your joints feel stiff or if you find a bump on your bones. Such symptoms are not necessarily a sign of bone cancer -- bone pain and swelling is much more often due to arthritis than cancer -- but a doctor can evaluate you further if necessary 23.
- Seek immediate medical care if you think you have suffered a broken bone.
- You should seek prompt medical attention if you have bone pain or swelling that doesn't go away or worsens over time, if your joints feel stiff or if you find a bump on your bones.
Related Articles
References
- National Cancer Institute: Bone Cancer
- Cancer.Net: Bone Cancer: Symptoms and Signs
- American Cancer Society: Signs and Symptoms of Bone Cancer
- Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology; Vincent T. DeVita Jr. et al.
- National Cancer Institute - Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program: SEER Stat Facts Sheets: Bone and Joint Cancer
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines
- Pathology and Genetics of Tumours of Soft Tissue and Bone; Christopher D. M. Fletcher et al.
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology: Sarcoma: Clinical State-of-the-Art
- American Cancer Society. What Is Bone Cancer? Updated February 5, 2018.
- American Cancer Society. Risk Factors for Bone Cancer. Updated February 5, 2018.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Bone Cancer. Mayo Clinic. Updated April 25, 2018.
- National Cancer Institute. Osteosarcoma and Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of Bone Treatment—Health Professional Version (PDQ). National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Updated November 13, 2017.
Writer Bio
Lada Krilov is a senior science writer at a medical association. She holds a Bachelor of Science in molecular biology from the University of Zagreb in Croatia and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the George Washington University.