Some people may develop in their bodies a silent enemy inside the bones that threatens their safety because it later turns into the most dangerous types of bone cancer. Despite the rare occurrence of these aggressive types of bone cancer, they may actually leave an impact that changes the patient’s life forever. Follow this article with us, dear reader, to learn more about the dangerous types of bone cancer and the risk factors for contracting them, along with how to treat them.
What are the most dangerous types of bone cancer?
There are 3 types that are considered among the most dangerous types of bone cancer in terms of their characteristics and the speed of their spread. They are rare but dangerous types and require accurate diagnosis to treat them before it is too late. We learn about these types in detail below:
الساركوما العظمية
Osteosarcoma is the most common and most dangerous type of bone cancer, and it most often affects adolescents due to rapid bone growth at that stage. The most common sites for cancer cell growth are the femur, tibia, and arm bone or humerus.
Osteosarcoma quickly spreads to nearby organs, such as the lungs or other sensitive organs, and here lies its danger, in addition to the fact that it results from immature bone cells, which affects and destroys natural bones over time, especially with neglect of early diagnosis and treatment.
Chondrosarcoma
Chondrosarcoma, which affects both adults and the elderly from 40 to 70 years of age, and common areas for this type of bone cancer are the pelvic bones, shoulders, ribs, and thigh bones. Cancer cells grow slowly compared to osteosarcoma, and the most notable danger is that it is resistant to chemotherapy and radiation.
Ewing's sarcoma
Ewing Sarcoma, which affects children and adolescents from 5 to 20 years of age, is the rarest type of bone cancer. Cancer cells spread to the bones of the pelvis, thighs, and ribs along with the soft tissues around the bones. They also quickly spread to the lungs and bone marrow, and cause severe pain and swelling with some other signs that appear successively.
Where does bone cancer start?
Bone cancer usually begins in the bone tissue itself, and sometimes it spreads to the bones from other parts or organs in the body, such as breast cancer or other rapidly spreading types of cancer. As for the most dangerous types of bone cancer:
- Osteosarcoma: Cancer begins in long bones such as the leg bones or femur.
- Chondrosarcoma: Usually arises from the cells of the cartilage.
You can see Benign bone cancer Symptoms and diagnostic methods
Who are the people at risk of developing bone cancer?
The classification of people at risk of developing bone cancer varies depending on the type of cancer, but in general they are identified as follows:
- Gender: Studies indicate that the most dangerous types of bone cancer affect males in greater proportion than females.
- Age: Osteosarcoma affects children and adolescents during the period of bone growth, while chondrosarcoma affects adults over 40 years of age.
- Patients receiving prolonged radiation therapy, especially if it is in high doses near the bone.
- People with a family history of certain cancers or a genetic syndrome such as Paget’s disease.
What are the risk factors for bone cancer?
Smoking is one of the most important risk factors for bone cancer, especially with genetic factors, in addition to chronic bone diseases that make bones grow abnormally and cells become more susceptible to cancerous transformation.
What is the treatment for bone cancer?
After learning about the most dangerous types of bone cancer and the risk factors that cause it, we mention the most important treatment options that doctors recommend to treat bone cancer and limit its spread to various organs of the body. Among the most important treatment methods are:
- Surgical option:
It is considered one of the first effective treatment options to limit the spread of bone cancer. The goal of surgery is to remove the tumor while preserving as much of the organ and its normal function as possible. Surgery consists of either a complete removal of the tumor along with part of the healthy tissue surrounding it, or conservative surgery by replacing the damaged bone with another metal substitute, or using a bone graft from other bones in the body. - Chemotherapy:
Doctors choose chemotherapy in the case of osteosarcoma or Ewing's sarcoma, but it cannot be used in chondrosarcoma because it is resistant to it. This treatment relies on drugs that kill rapidly dividing cancer cells and is used either before surgery to reduce and size the tumor, or after it to destroy any remaining cells. - Radiotherapy:
It is only useful for Ewing's sarcoma. It aims to destroy cancer cells that are concentrated in a specific area or are inoperable, and it relies on the use of high-energy rays to destroy those cells. - Targeted therapy:
It is a modern treatment that is constantly being developed based on the genetic characteristics of the tumor. Examples of this type of treatment include tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies.
There are still many treatments that doctors and researchers are constantly discovering, but they are under study and research to ensure their effectiveness in treating the most dangerous types of bone cancer and reducing the spread of cancer cells in the body.
ما هي Early symptoms of bone cancer؟ وكيف يمكن التعامل معها بشكلٍ صحيح؟
How to prevent the most dangerous types of bone cancer
Learn with us about the most important advice provided by oncologists at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital on how to prevent the most dangerous types of bone cancer or reduce risk factors as you can. حجز استشارتك في Oncology center Visit the hospital and check on your health, which includes:
- Early examination for any abnormal sign in the body, especially if there is a family history of the disease.
- Avoid repeated exposure to X-rays or radiation therapy unless using means of protection.
- Avoid carcinogenic substances, especially smoking, alcoholic beverages, or frequent exposure to pesticides.
- Ensure proper nutrition to support bone health, such as foods rich in calcium and vitamin D.
- Exercising regularly helps strengthen bones and stimulate blood circulation and immunity.
- Monitor abnormal pain or swelling, especially in children, and you must visit a doctor immediately.
Did you feel anxious after learning about the most dangerous types of bone cancer?
Frequently asked questions
Below we answer the most common questions related to the most dangerous types of bone cancer:
What is malignant bone cancer?
Malignant bone cancer is the most dangerous type of cancer, as we mentioned, which grows quickly and spreads to multiple parts of the body, such as osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma.
When is bone cancer fatal?
Bone cancer becomes fatal if it is not detected early and spreads to small organs such as the lungs, or if it is of an aggressive and aggressive type.
How long does it take bone cancer to spread?
The time it takes for bone cancer to spread varies depending on its type and place of appearance, as well as its grade. Osteosarcoma is the fastest spreading, taking a few months, while chondrosarcoma takes years.
How long does a patient with metastatic bone cancer live?
It is not possible to determine how long a patient with metastatic cancer will live. The duration varies depending on the type of primary cancer, the number of organs to which it has spread, the general health condition of the patient and the extent of the patient’s response to treatment.
Medical references
Bone cancer – mayoclinic
What is bone cancer – clevelandclinic
