Cancer of the bones: Survival chances, triggers, kinds, and therapies
Bone cancer, a rare malignancy, is often associated with genetic and cellular abnormalities rather than injuries, a common misconception that has been debunked by medical evidence [1]. While injuries may sometimes reveal the symptoms of bone cancer, they do not cause the disease itself [2].
The relationship between injury and bone cancer is one of mistaken timing rather than causation. Bone cancer is primarily a disease of children, adolescents, and young adults, with primary bone cancers such as osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma being the most common [3]. These cancers arise from abnormal bone or cartilage cells and are linked to genetic factors and chromosomal changes, not trauma or injuries.
Secondary malignant bone tumors, on the other hand, result from metastases of other cancers and have different origins unrelated to injury to the bone [3]. Breast and prostate cancer, for instance, have a particularly high risk of causing secondary bone cancer in adults [3].
Ewing sarcoma, for example, is associated with specific chromosomal translocations involving the EWSR1 gene [3]. Chondrosarcoma, on the other hand, usually develops in adults over the age of 40 years [4]. Chordoma, a very rare cancer of the spine, typically affects older adults [4].
Primary bone cancer develops in the skeletal system and can be detected through a series of diagnostic tests, including blood tests, radionuclide bone scans, CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans, X-rays, and biopsies [5]. Treatment for bone cancer can include surgery, radiation therapy, limb-sparing surgery, and chemotherapy, with the latter being a standard treatment for Ewing sarcoma and a regular part of combination treatment for other bone cancers [6].
In cases where the cancer has not spread, the outlook for a person with malignant bone cancer is generally good. For instance, a person with chondrosarcoma that has not spread has a high chance of surviving for 5 years after diagnosis [7]. However, if the cancer spreads to distant sites, such as the lungs, the 5-year survival rate reduces to 33% [7]. Taking all stages into account, the American Cancer Society puts the 5-year survival rate at 80% [7]. Early detection and treatment are key to improving the outlook.
In addition to traditional treatments, targeted therapies are also being used to fight bone cancer. Denosumab (Xgeva), for instance, is a drug approved for use in adults and adolescents with fully developed skeletons [8]. This drug prevents osteoclasts, a type of blood cell, from destroying bone tissue, thereby slowing the progression of the disease.
Cryosurgery, a technique used to remove tumors from bone tissue, involves a surgeon targeting cancer cells with liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy them [9]. Combination therapy, which involves radiation therapy combined with another type of treatment, can also be more effective in some cases [10].
In conclusion, bone cancer is a rare disease primarily caused by genetic and cellular abnormalities rather than injuries. It is crucial to raise awareness about the facts surrounding bone cancer to ensure early detection and effective treatment.
References: [1] Bone Cancer Research Trust. (2021). Bone Cancer FAQs. Retrieved from https://www.bonecancer.org.uk/patients/faqs/ [2] American Cancer Society. (2021). Bone Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bone-cancer.html [3] National Cancer Institute. (2021). Childhood Bone Cancer Treatment (PDQ®). Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/types/bone/hp/child-bone-treatment-pdq [4] National Cancer Institute. (2021). Adult Bone Cancer Treatment (PDQ®). Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/types/bone/hp/adult-bone-treatment-pdq [5] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Bone cancer: Diagnosis and treatment. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bone-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355301 [6] American Cancer Society. (2021). Chemotherapy for Bone Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/types-of-treatment/chemotherapy/chemotherapy-for-bone-cancer.html [7] American Cancer Society. (2021). Survival Rates for Bone Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bone-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html [8] National Cancer Institute. (2021). Denosumab. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/denosumab [9] National Cancer Institute. (2021). Cryosurgery. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/cryosurgery [10] American Cancer Society. (2021). Combination Therapy for Bone Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/types-of-treatment/combination-therapy/combination-therapy-for-bone-cancer.html
- The specific chromosomal translocations involving the EWSR1 gene, like those found in Ewing sarcoma, are indicative of predictive factors for bone cancers, rather than associated with obesity or health-and-wellness practices.
- Health-and-wellness habits and medical-conditions such as obesity do not cause primary bone cancers such as osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, which primarily develop due to genetic factors and chromosomal changes.
- In the field of science, researchers continue to explore new treatments for bone cancers, including targeted therapies like Denosumab and Cryosurgery, which are designed to better predict and combat the disease.
- Cases of obesity and other health-and-wellness concerns may not lead to an increased risk of developing bone cancer, particularly primary bone cancers, which arise from abnormal bone or cartilage cells, but the outlook for a person with malignant bone cancer can be significantly improved through early detection and effective treatment.
