What are bone metastases, and how many things do you know about them?
The thought of having cancer is so scary that we’re even afraid to pronounce it. But unfortunately, all types of cancer are more and more present in today’s world. And even with this amazing technology we have, we fail to find a 100% cure that will last forever.
When cancer begins in one area of the body, it can spread and damage other areas too. We refer to this spread as metastasis. Bone metastasis is the term for when a tumor spreads to the bone. Bone damage and symptoms can result from cancer cells that have spread to the bone. The symptoms and spread of bone metastases can be managed with a variety of treatments.
Before we go further and find out more about bone metastases, it’s important to be well-informed about what cancer is, how it develops, and what occurs during metastasis.
What is bone cancer?
Several distinct cancers that arise in the bones are collectively referred to as bone cancer. Normal bone tissue may be harmed when cancer cells proliferate in bone. The type of bone cancer depends on the kind of cell and tissue where the cancer first appears.
Primary bone cancers are cancers that originate in the bone itself. Numerous cancers that start in organs or other body parts have the potential to spread to the bones and other body parts. These growths are referred to as metastatic or secondary bone cancers. Usually, tumors of the breast, prostate, and lung spread to the bones. Although bone cancer, especially bone metastasis, happens very rarely; around 1% of the American population has it, you can still develop it at any age.
How does cancer spread to the bone?
This is a very good question, especially for those who aren’t exactly aware of bone metastasis and want to be informed about it. Cells that separate from a cancer tumor may travel to other areas of the body via the lymphatic or circulatory systems.
Cancer cells can spread to an organ far from its original location and form a new tumor. The primary tumor is the original tumor from which cells separate. The term “secondary tumor” refers to a newly formed tumor, and bone metastases are those tumors that develop in the bone.
Can bone cancer be cured?
Treatment for bone cancer is based on the type of cancer the patient has, its spread, and its location. To treat bone cancer, patients frequently collaborate with a group of medical professionals. Oncologists and radiation oncologists as well as physicians who specialize in bones and joints are included in this group.
The following are the most often-used treatments:
Surgery is the primary method to treat bone metastases when the surgeon removes the tumor and the affected area. Then radiation therapy is also a type of treatment that can shrink the tumors with doses of X-rays. This method is preferable before the surgery because it’s proven to minimize the size of the tumor itself. Last but not least is chemotherapy, which is the most efficient type of treatment because it kills cancer cells from the entire body.
Now that we defined these things a bit, let’s see what bone metastase symptoms look like:
Broken bones
The worst thing bone metastases can do is weaken the bones quicker. Your bones could break as a result of this. Sometimes the first indication of bone metastasis is a break or fracture. The long bones of the arms and legs as well as the spine are the most frequent places for bones to break. A sudden but unbearable pain in the middle of your back, for example, could indicate that a bone is collapsing or breaking.
Arms and legs may become numb, tingly, or weak if the metastasis affects the spine because it may put pressure on nerves. The spinal cord compression condition is a medical emergency that needs to be treated right away.
Bone pain
The most typical sign of bone metastases is pain. Frequently, it’s the first symptom you observe. The pain may be intermittent at first. Usually, it gets worse at night or when you’re sleeping and might get worse with time.
However, not every pain indicates metastases. The difference between aches and pains from other causes and pain from metastases can be clarified with your doctor’s help. If you experience any kind of pain, it is advisable to talk to your doctor. While it may not be bone cancer, identifying the cause promptly is important.
Swollen area
Localized swelling brought on by bone metastases often comes with tenderness to the touch. The tumor’s disruption of the normal bone environment causes swelling, which may also affect some of the nearby tissues and joints. If you know that you hit the swollen area recently, it might not be bone cancer, yet it’s still recommended to visit a doctor.
Higher calcium levels
Having higher calcium levels than normal is called Hypercalcemia and in most cases is the cause of bone metastases. This happens because the tumors release calcium into the bloodstream. Higher calcium levels can cause nausea, extreme exhaustion, thirst even if you’re hydrated, and dizziness.
Since your entire body can be affected by this illness it’s necessary to call your doctor if you experience at least two of these symptoms.
Nerve issues
Signs of spinal cord compression include numbness or weakness in the legs, difficulty urinating or having a bowel movement, or numbness in the abdomen. This happens when cancer spreads to the spine. These symptoms, along with back pain, may be brought on by pressure on the spinal cord.
You should notify your doctor if you experience these symptoms or if you are already diagnosed with bone cancer. It can result in paralysis if left untreated.
Loss of appetite
As happens with any other type of serious illness, dealing with bone metastasis will affect your appetite and your bowels and will make you feel more exhausted than usual. This may happen solely because of an ongoing cancer treatment, or this is your body’s way of saying, “It’s time to visit a doctor!”
You might experience additional symptoms brought on by decreased blood cells if bone metastasis affects your bone marrow. Anemia can result from a decrease in your red blood cell counts. Weakness, exhaustion, and dyspnea are symptoms of anemia.
You may develop infections if your white blood cells are compromised. Infection symptoms include fever, chills, exhaustion, or pain. You could bleed or bruise easily if your white blood cells are low.
Making healthy food choices is crucial during this extremely difficult time, regardless of your cancer journey. The Cancer Diet Cookbook offers a plethora of delicious and nutritious meal options that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less, using five basic ingredients, or in a single pot, to aid you during your treatment and recuperation.
Can you prevent bone cancer as well as bone metastases?
Unfortunately, there is no way we can prevent bone cancer. After years of studying this disease, we still don’t have any idea what causes bone cancer. Radiation therapy is probably the best way to treat this disease; it can’t be avoided; in fact, it may need multiple sessions following surgery to completely remove it.
If you are currently facing a cancer diagnosis and are undergoing treatment, it’s important to reach out to your doctor regularly. Maintaining open communication can help ensure that everything is progressing as it should. Remember, your health and well-being are the top priority, and your doctor is there to support you every step of the way.
If you are a cancer survivor, regular checkups are essential to monitor for any signs of recurrence.
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