Cancer is a disease in which the cells grow uncontrollably and there are more than 100 types of cancers present in the world, one of them is bone cancer.Bone cancer is a rare type of cancer which includes abnormal growth of bone cells. Bone cancer treatment focuses on either removing the bone tumor or reducing the mass of cancerous cells. 
In this article we will look forward to the bone cancer treatment and diagnosis of the bone cancer, but before that let’s look at its causes and symptoms.In needle biopsy, a small needle like instrument is used to collect samples from the tissue, whereas in incision biopsy, a small cut is made in the tumor and tissue sample is collected.Bone cancer or commonly osteosarcoma is a rare disease which requires expert pathologists and doctors to identify the tumor and treat the sarcoma.Radiation therapy can be used for bone cancer treatment when the tumor cannot be removed easily, and it also helps to reduce the symptoms such as pain and swelling.
In this article we will look forward to the bone cancer treatment and diagnosis of the bone cancer, but before that let’s look at its causes and symptoms.What are the Causes of Bone Cancer?
Some of most ubiquitous (present everywhere) factors that can lead to bone cancer are:- Genetic heredity of defective genes
- Exposure to radiation
- Spread of cancer from other part of the body to bone
- Abnormal healing of an injury
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Bone Cancer?
Most frequent signs and symptoms of bone cancer are:- Bone pain which is progressive and continues in day as well as night
- Lump formation
- Swelling and redness
- Problem in moving the affected area
What are the Diagnostic Tests for Bone Cancer?
Bone cancer can be detected by several methods but depends on some factors including:- Type of bone cancer suspected – The most common type of bone cancer is osteosarcoma which begins in the cells that form bone. It is aggressively malignant and can cause major problems.
- Signs and symptoms – The major symptoms may also affect the type of diagnosis a person should go through.
- Age and general health – A patient’s age and general health or previous exposure to radiation will influence the type of diagnostic test suggested by the doctor.
1. Biopsy
A biopsy is a type of diagnostic test in which a small sample of tissue is removed from the affected area and examined under the microscope by pathologists.Other diagnostic tests can predict the presence of cancer, but biopsy is the only one that can give definite results.Different biopsies are performed according to the organ, namely needle biopsy and incision biopsy.
In needle biopsy, a small needle like instrument is used to collect samples from the tissue, whereas in incision biopsy, a small cut is made in the tumor and tissue sample is collected.Bone cancer or commonly osteosarcoma is a rare disease which requires expert pathologists and doctors to identify the tumor and treat the sarcoma.2. CT scan
CT or CAT scan stands for Computed tomography, which involves taking x-ray of the body from different angles.A computer examines these images and combines them to produce a 3D image of the body to scan the location of the tumor. Mostly it is used to measure the size of the tumor.To get a more detailed image sometimes, a special dye known as contrast medium is given to the patient via injection in the veins or pills.3. MRI scan
Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI scan used a magnetic field to produce an image of the body. Unlike other scans that used x-ray, it provides a more detailed image of the bones and soft tissues.It assists oncologists navigate the procedure of surgery for the removal of bone tumors.A dye can be used to provide contrast to the image. This dye can be taken by the patient via intravenous or oral route of administration.
4. Bone scan
Bone scan is an effective way to identify the stage of a bone tumor. It uses a radioactive tracer to look inside the body while emitting a small amount of radiation which is considered harmless.This radioactive tracer is introduced into the patient’s body via blood vessels and detected by a special camera.It gets collected in the bones and specially in affected areas, which can be identified clearly.5. PET scan
Positron emission tomography (PET) or PET-CT scan is specially used to determine the stage of cancer.A PET scan is a way to create an image of an organ or tissue using radioactive sugar substance. This radioactive sugar gets absorbed by cells of the body of the patient to provide energy to the cells.As the cancerous cells are more active than normal cell, they absorb the radioactive sugar radially. A scanner is used to detect the radioactive substance and create an image of the organ and the part of the tumor.6. X-ray
An x-ray is a way to create a picture of the structures inside of the body using a small amount of radiation.It is usually used to first determine if pain or inflammation is a result of cancer or any fracture.Most doctors first ask to get an x-ray to determine the true cause of symptoms.
Bone Cancer Treatment
Most prevalent bone tumor is osteosarcoma which requires treatment and care to improve the condition of the patient.Bone cancer treatment typically includes surgery and chemotherapy with radiation therapy in some cases.Nowadays as the technology improves day by day, new therapies are enhancing the treatment of bone tumors.Some of the most common treatments are:
1. Surgery:
The treatment of osteosarcoma (bone cancer) is mostly done through surgery in which doctors try to remove all the cancer.Surgery can be done in two ways:a.) Limb- Salvage Surgery
The main aim of Limb-salvage Surgery is to remove the cancer and some part of surrounding tissue but still leaving the limb intact.This is extraordinarily complex surgery as special skilled surgeons are required to perform this surgery, where they remove the tumor and save all the other tissues such as blood vessels, tendons, ligaments etc. to keep the arms or legs working properly.If the tumor got spread into tendons it is preferred to go under amputation. In this process the removed bone is replaced by bone graft, but it comes with different complications including infection and rod being loose or broken which will eventually lead to amputation.b.) Amputation Surgery
If the tumor spreads into the blood vessels and surrounding tissues of the bone, it is advised to amputate the limb.Many people are afraid of amputation surgeries because of losing their organs but it is very much safe and nowadays a lot of modern technology is able for external prosthetics.2. Radiation Therapy:
Radiation therapy is most often used to treat Ewing’s sarcoma and not used for most of the bone cancers. Most often, the radiation is given as a part of other treatments.The radiation therapy is not painful and does not require the patient to be in the machine for long. It can be done after surgery or without any surgery. After surgery, it is done to remove any cancerous cell left behind.
Radiation therapy can be used for bone cancer treatment when the tumor cannot be removed easily, and it also helps to reduce the symptoms such as pain and swelling.
