The symptoms of primary bone cancer may be almost non-existent or not very specific at the start of the disease, but knowing them allows you to consult, detect and initiate appropriate treatment as early as possible.
- Primary bone cancer manifests itself as bone or joint pain, a fracture, difficulty moving a limb or even a mass on a bone.
- There are also non-specific symptoms: fatigue, sweating, fever, weight loss.
- Primary bone cancer represents 0.5 to 1% of cancers, according to the League Against Cancer.
In France, there are around 1,000 new cases of primary bone cancer each year, according to the League against cancerand in 70% of cases, patients are under 18 years old.
Screen for primary bone cancer by spotting the symptoms
Primary bone cancer represents 0.5 to 1% of cancers. The most common form is called osteosarcoma. It is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor, which often affects long bones: such as the knee, femur, tibia or shoulder. Osteosarcoma represents 30% of cases of primary bone cancer in adults. Every year, there are more than 200 new cases of osteosarcoma in France.
Ewing sarcoma, a rare malignant tumor that develops from cells in the mesenchymeand chondrosarcoma, a malignant tumor of the cartilages, are the other two primary bone cancers.
As with many malignant tumors, the issue of screening for bone tumors is crucial. But to consult your doctor, you must recognize the symptoms of this disease.
Initially, patients with primary bone cancer may experience no or nonspecific symptoms. These appear later, as the tumor grows and the disease becomes more serious.
According to Canadian Cancer Societythere are four main symptoms of primary bone cancer:
- permanent bone or joint pain that is more severe during physical exertion: one of the telltale signs is that it may be more present in the evening ;
- swelling or a palpable mass on a bone;
- difficulty moving a limb or using it: for example some patients may limp;
- bone fractures: Bones break more easily because they are weakened by the tumor.
Bone cancer: 4 symptoms that are also not very specific
Then, there are also four other rarer and less specific symptoms that can be warning signs:
- tiredness ;
- perspiration ;
- fever ;
- and weight loss.
If you notice several of the 8 symptoms mentioned in the article, talk to your doctor. He will take the necessary tests to make a diagnosis.
In more than 80% of cases, in children, adolescents and adults, the treatment of bone cancer mainly involves surgery. The goal is to remove the tumor. Chemotherapy may be prescribed to the patient before or after surgery.