7 early warning signs of bone cancer
Bone cancer is most commonly found near the knee and far from the elbow, meaning it frequently occurs at the upper end of the tibia, the lower end of the femur (near the knee), the upper end of the humerus, and the lower end of the radius (far from the elbow).
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The early symptoms of bone cancer are not easily recognizable, so if you don't pay attention to unusual changes in your body, you may miss the best opportunity for treatment in the early stages.
Bone cancer is a connective tissue cancer (sarcoma) that originates from bone-forming cells, cartilage-forming cells, and connective tissue cells of bone. It is rare, accounting for approximately 0.5% of all cancers. Bone cancer is most commonly found near the knee and far from the elbow, meaning it frequently occurs at the upper end of the tibia, the lower end of the femur (near the knee), the upper end of the humerus, and the lower end of the radius (far from the elbow).
There are many causes of cancer, among which genetic disorders are internal factors related to cell division with mutated genes. Some benign bone diseases can transform into bone cancer, such as osteochondroma, epiphyseal hyperplasia of long bones, Paget's disease of bone, fibrous dysplasia, etc.
When the disease develops, pain is the most common initial symptom. Initially, there is a vague pain in the bone, followed by sharp, short, and very uncomfortable episodes of pain. Tumor symptoms may appear before, simultaneously with, or after the pain. The tumor initially appears as a firm, raised, indistinct mass with irregular borders, painless to the touch. Later, the tumor grows rapidly, causing deformation. It invades soft tissue and is painful on examination. The tumor causes neovascularization, and the skin feels warmer than other areas. The tumor's consistency varies, ranging from soft to firm and tense due to blood pooling.
Most patients admitted to the hospital already have advanced bone cancer, making medical intervention very difficult. The following are some abnormal bone signs that you should see a doctor immediately to determine if they could be cancer.
1. Pain
The main symptoms of bone tumors appear early, initially causing mild, intermittent pain. As the disease progresses, the pain may gradually increase, and the pain episodes often become fixed.
Most patients experience increased pain at night, affecting their sleep. The pain is vague, making it almost impossible to pinpoint its source.
2. Swelling or lumps
In the early stages, a tumor may appear, and bone deformity may be palpable. As swelling increases, bone tissue may protrude, with a smooth or irregularly bumpy surface.
3. Bone dysfunction
When bone cancer becomes more severe or reaches a late stage, it can cause pain, swelling, and impaired bone function, leading to corresponding muscle atrophy.
4. Symptoms of compression
When a tumor develops in the cranial cavity or nasal cavity, it can compress the brain and nose, causing slow-onset cerebral pressure symptoms and respiratory problems.
Pelvic tumors can compress the rectum, bladder, and intestines, causing difficulty urinating, while spinal cord tumors compressing the spine can cause paralysis.
5. Body deformities
Because the tumor's growth affects the skeletal system of the limbs, causing deformities and body deformation, the lower limbs may exhibit abnormal changes compared to before.
6. Pathological fractures
The affected bone is very susceptible to fractures from even a slight impact, causing severe pain, frequent bone pain, and potentially paralysis of the leg.
7. Generalized body aches and pains
In advanced stages of bone tumors, toxins within the tumor can stimulate pain, leading to a range of systemic symptoms such as insomnia, irritability, loss of appetite, lethargy, pallor, progressive weight loss, anemia, and wasting.
