| Pain in the affected bone is the most | | | | patients and effective against the |
| common complaint of patients with bone | | | | disease. |
| cancer. At first, the pain is not | | | | Treatment options depend on the type, |
| constant and may be worse at night or | | | | size, location, and stage of the cancer, |
| when the bone is used (example is leg | | | | as well as the person's age and general |
| pain when walking). As the cancer grows, | | | | health. |
| the pain will be there all the time. The | | | | Although amputation of a limb is |
| pain increases with activity and may | | | | sometimes necessary, pre- or |
| result in a limp if a leg is involved. | | | | post-operative chemotherapy has made |
| Swelling in the area of the pain may not | | | | limb-sparing surgery possible in many |
| occur until weeks later. Depending on | | | | cases. |
| the location of the tumor, it may be | | | | When appropriate, surgeons avoid |
| possible to feel a lump or mass. | | | | amputation by removing only the |
| Fractures: Although bone cancer may | | | | cancerous section of the bone and |
| weaken the bone it develops in, the | | | | replacing it with an artificial device |
| bones do not usually fracture. People | | | | called a prosthesis. |
| with a fracture next to or through a | | | | However, a biopsy-the removal of a |
| bone cancer usually describe a limb that | | | | sample of tissue from the bone tumor-is |
| was sore for a few months and suddenly | | | | needed to determine whether cancer is |
| became severely painful. | | | | present |
| Generalized symptoms: If the cancer has | | | | The possible risk factors for bone |
| spread, you may have generalized | | | | cancer |
| symptoms such as weight loss and | | | | Although scientists are not certain what |
| fatigue. | | | | causes bone cancer, a number of factors |
| However, symptoms may vary depending on | | | | may put a person at increased risk. |
| the location and size of the cancer. | | | | These cancers occur more frequently in |
| Tumors that occur in or near joints may | | | | children and young adults, particularly |
| cause swelling or tenderness in the | | | | those who have had radiation or |
| affected area. | | | | chemotherapy treatments for other |
| The treatment options for bone cancer | | | | conditions. |
| Various forms of cancer treatments using | | | | Adults with a noncancerous condition |
| surgery, radiation therapy, and | | | | such as characterized by abnormal |
| chemotherapy for bone cancer are being | | | | development of new bone cells, may be at |
| tested in clinical trials. | | | | increased risk for osteosarcoma. |
| Clinical trials are a critical step in | | | | A small number of bone cancers are due |
| the development of new methods of | | | | to heredity. For example, children with |
| treatment. Before any new treatment can | | | | hereditary retinoblastoma (an uncommon |
| be recommended for general use, doctors | | | | cancer of the eye) are at a higher risk |
| conduct clinical trials to find out | | | | of developing osteosarcoma. |
| whether the treatment is safe for | | | | |