Any bone cancer diagnosis can be a life-changing event. Fortunately, most people with bone cancer have treatment options to control the disease and help you get back to your normal daily life.
Learn about the different types of bone cancer, plus options for bone cancer treatment near you.
Types of Bone Cancer and Sarcomas
There are many different types of bone cancers and sarcomas. Although those two words are often used interchangeably, they refer to different types of conditions. For example, most types of sarcoma are bone cancer, but not all bone cancers are sarcoma.
These are some of the most common types and signs of bone cancer your doctor may diagnose.
Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer. It usually appears in the cells where new bone tissue forms, particularly in the ends of long bones like arm and leg bones. It most often affects people under 25 years old, but can sometimes occur in older adults.
Ewing Sarcoma
This is a subset of rare, cancerous tumors that most often affect children and young adults. Ewing sarcoma typically appears in the bones or soft tissues near them like muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It’s associated with a genetic mutation and most often occurs during puberty when the body is growing.
Chondrosarcoma
Chondrosarcoma starts in the cartilage—the tough but flexible tissue that protects your bones and joints. It can grow from cancerous tissue on the bone or from benign bone tumors that have developed into cancer.
This type of cancer is most common in places such as the pelvis, sternum, arms, or legs, but it can occur anywhere you have cartilage. Chondrosarcoma typically appears in people over the age of 40.
Chordoma
Chordoma is an uncommon type of tumor that often occurs in the bones of the spine. It most often appears at the base of the skull, or the base of the spine near your tailbone. Tumors near the skull can be hard to remove completely due to how close they are to your brain.
Chordoma most often occurs in adults over the age of 50. Men are slightly more likely to develop them than women.
Bone Cancer Treatment Options
Surgery
In many cases, bone cancer is curable with surgery. As part of your treatment for bone cancer, your surgeon removes the tumor from the bone, plus some healthy tissue around it to prevent the cancer from returning. In some cases, you may also need to have an entire limb removed or have repeat surgery if the first procedure doesn’t get rid of all the cancer cells.
During bone cancer surgery, your surgeon may also repair or rebuild the affected bone with bone grafts.
Radiation Therapy for Bone Cancer
Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, uses atomic X-rays, gamma rays, or other particles to kill cancer cells. Bone cancer patients who require it receive radiation therapy from a machine that aims a beam of invisible radioactive rays at the tumors. Your oncologist may also use radiation to shrink the tumor so they don’t have to remove as much tissue from your body.
This radiation is painless, and it won’t make you radioactive after you finish a round of treatment, so it’s safe to be around others once you’re done.
Chemotherapy for Bone Cancer
Chemotherapy uses strong medicine to kill cancer cells throughout your body. Your oncologist may recommend this as an option for treating either localized cancers or those that have spread to other areas of the body. In most cases, your oncology team may give it to you either through an IV or as a pill you take by mouth.
Our Bone Cancer Treatment Center in Michigan
No two patient stories are exactly alike. We know that all too well. That’s why at the Cancer & Hematology Centers, we treat every diagnosis as an individual case. Not only do we provide multiple types of treatment for prostate cancer, but we also offer cutting-edge procedures and clinical trials to set you on the path to recovery faster.
Learn More About Bone Cancer Treatment with The CHC
Our team of oncologists and bone cancer specialists is here to help you navigate your diagnosis and treatment. To learn more about sarcoma and bone cancer treatment near you in West Michigan, call 800-411-7999 today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Does Bone Cancer Look Like on an X-Ray?
On an X-ray image, healthy bones look smooth and solid. However, bone cancer can look like a ragged, rough, or blurred spot within the bone, depending on the type of cancer it is. Some bone cancers might look like a hole within the bone.
What Is the Survival Rate of Bone Cancer?
While it depends on the type of bone cancer you have, the five-year survival rate for people with bone cancer is typically above 50 percent. The survival rate is even higher across the board when doctors detect the cancer at early stages.
How Long Can You Live with Bone Cancer?
Bone cancer is not usually fatal, and people who receive treatment can continue with life as normal for years afterward. However, early detection and treatment are essential for living longer, so it’s important to talk to your doctor as soon as you notice any symptoms that concern you.