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Symptoms and Types of Bone Tumors to Watch Out for

Bone tumors are judged from their potential to become cancerous, divided into malignant and benign tumors. If a malignant tumor can cause cancer, benign tumor does not. Get to know various types of bone tumors in order to get the right treatment before the condition gets worse. Bone tumors are conditions that occur if bone cells grow abnormally. Bone cells that grow out of control can form enlargements, bulges or tumors in the bones. Until now, the exact cause of bone tumors is still unknown. However, possible causes of bone tumors are known to be related to genetic disorders (heredity), injury, or due to radiation exposure.

Symptoms that are felt

The pain is most often felt in areas where tumors affect certain body parts. This pain tends to increase with the severity of the activity carried out and usually the pain gets stronger at night. The symptoms of bone tumors are characterized by:
  • Swelling arises around the tumor.
  • Pain around the bones, can worsen at night.
  • Broken bones only due to minor injuries.
  • Can be accompanied by fever and night sweats.

Classification of Bone Tumors

Benign bone tumors or benign tumors are more common, compared to malignant or malignant tumors. This type of tumor tends to be harmless, because it is not aggressive and does not spread to other body parts. However, if left unchecked, benign tumors can continue to develop replacing healthy tissue and disrupting bone tissue. Here are some types of benign bone tumors:
  • Osteochondroma. This tumor usually attacks people under the age of 20 years. This type of bone tumor can develop since adolescence, especially at the ends of long bones such as the arms and legs.
  • Enchondroma. In many cases, these tumors have no symptoms, usually in the hands or feet. Enchondroma is the most common cause for tumors in the hands.
  • Osteoid osteoma. Tumors that attack long bones in the body. Most attack at the age of 20 years and over.
  • Osteoblastoma. This single tumor is mostly found in young adults. Especially regarding the spine and long bones in the body.
  • Giant cell tumor. Malignant types of tumors with giant cells are rarely encountered. Generally benign, and often found in the legs.
Meanwhile, bone tumors that trigger cancer are known as malignant bone tumors or bone cancer. In bone cancer, there is an aggressive and invasive growth of bone cells and tissue, so it is often known as bone malignancy. This condition is very dangerous because it can expand, spread and affect other parts of the body. Even so, the chance of primary bone cancer (cancer originating from the bone, not due to the spread of cancer cells from other organs) is very small. Three types of primary bone cancer, namely:
  • Chondrosarcoma. Malignant tumors that usually start from cartilage cells, especially in the age group of 40-70 years. Usually attacks the shoulders, arms, pelvis, and groin.
  • Osteosarcoma. This tumor generally attacks children and adolescents. Osteosarcoma is commonly found in the knees, thighs and shins.
  • Ewing's Sarcoma Tumor. Occurs in patients with an age range of 5-20 years. Locations that are usually affected are the upper and lower legs, upper arms and ribs.

Bone Tumor Handling Actions

Compared to benign tumors, bone tumors that cause cancer require more aggressive treatment. This is needed to increase the chances of recovery. The steps to treat a bone tumor include:
  • Benign bone tumors will be monitored by doctors. If necessary, the doctor will give medicine or remove the tumor to prevent the spread of the tumor that may interfere with the function of the surrounding tissue. Unfortunately, tumors may recur in some people.
  • Malignant tumors require special treatment depending on the stage of the malignancy or how severe the cancer spreads to other parts of the body. There are several actions such as performing surgical removal of bone from the tumor, amputation of certain body parts, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
If you experience symptoms of a bone tumor, consult your doctor immediately for advice and the right treatment.

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