Bone Tumors Assignment 1
Bone Tumors Assignment 1
Bone Tumors Assignment 1
Benign tumors
Malignant tumors
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment for benign tumors
Treatment for malignant tumors
Recovery
Outlook
These tumors form near the actively growing ends of long bones, such as arm
or leg bones. Specifically,
these tumors tend to affect the lower end of the thighbone (femur), the upper
end of the lower leg
bone (tibia), and the upper end of the upper arm bone (humerus).
These tumors are made of bone and cartilage. Osteochondromas have been
considered to be an
abnormality of growth. A child may develop a single osteochondroma or many
of them.
Enchondroma
An enchondroma is a cartilage cyst that grows inside the bone marrow. When
they occur, they begin in
children and persist as adults. They tend to be part of syndromes called Ollier’s
and Mafucci’s syndrome.
Enchondromas occur in the hands and feet as well as the long bones of the arm
and thigh.
Fibrous dysplasia
Fibrous dysplasia is a gene mutation that makes bones fibrous and vulnerable
to fracture.
Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma, which occurs mostly in children and adolescents, is the second
most common type of
bone cancer. This usually develops around the hip, shoulder, or knee. This
tumor grows rapidly and
tends to spread to other parts of the body.
The most common sites for this tumor to spread are areas where the bones are
most actively growing
(growth plates), the lower end of the thighbone, and the upper end of the
lower leg bone.
Osteosarcoma is also sometimes known as osteogenic sarcoma. Here’s how it’s
treated and the outlook
for people diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
Chondrosarcoma
Middle-aged people and older adults are more likely than other age groups to
develop chondrosarcoma.
This type of bone cancer usually develops in the hips, shoulders, and pelvis.
The most common type of secondary bone cancer is called multiple myeloma.
This bone cancer shows
up as tumors in the bone marrow. Multiple myeloma most commonly affects
older adults.
Doctor may order tests, including blood or urine samples. A lab will analyze
these fluids to detect
different proteins that may indicate the presence of a tumor or other medical
problems.
An alkaline phosphatase test is one common tool doctors use to diagnose bone
tumors. When your
bone tissue is especially active in forming cells, large quantities of this enzyme
show up in your blood.
This could be because a bone is growing, such as in young people, or it could
mean a tumor is producing
abnormal bone tissue. This test is more reliable in people who’ve stopped
growing.
Imaging tests
Doctor will probably order X-rays to determine the size and exact location of
the tumor. Depending
on the X-ray results, these other imaging tests may be necessary:
A CT scan is a series of detailed X-rays of the inside of your body that are taken
from several angles.
An MRI scan uses magnets and radio waves to provide detailed pictures of the
area in question.
In a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, your doctor will inject a small
amount of radioactive
sugar into your vein. Since cancer cells use more glucose than regular cells, this
activity helps your
doctor locate the site of the tumor.
An arteriogram is an X-ray of your arteries and veins.
A bone scan may also be needed — here’s how they’re done and what the
results mean.
Biopsies
Your doctor may want to perform a biopsy. In this test, a sample of the tissue
that makes up your tumor
will be removed. The sample is examined in a laboratory under a microscope.
The main types of biopsies
are a needle biopsy and an incisional biopsy.
A needle biopsy may be done in your doctor’s office or by a radiologist along
with one of the previously
mentioned imaging tests. Either way, you’ll have local anesthetic to block the
pain.
Your doctor will insert a needle into your bone, using it to remove a small bit of
tumor tissue. If a
radiologist does the needle biopsy, they’ll use the image from the X-ray, MRI, or
CT scan to help find the
tumor and know where to insert the needle.
An incisional biopsy, also called an open biopsy, is done in an operating room
under general anesthesia
so you’ll sleep through the procedure. Your doctor will make an incision and
remove your tissue through
the incision.
Completing a bone biopsy is important to make a definite diagnosis of the
condition.
How are benign bone tumors treated?
If your tumor is benign, it may or may not require action. Sometimes doctors
just keep an eye on benign
bone tumors to see if they change over time. This requires coming back
periodically for follow-up X-rays.
Bone tumors can grow, stay the same, or eventually disappear. Children have a
higher likelihood of
having their bone tumors disappear as they mature.
However, your doctor may want to surgically remove the benign tumor. Benign
tumors can sometimes
spread or transform into malignant tumors. Bone tumors can also lead to
fractures.
Radiation therapy
Radiation is often used in conjunction with surgery. High-dose X-rays are used
to shrink tumors before
surgery and kill cancer cells. Radiation can also reduce pain and decrease the
chance of bone fractures.
Chemotherapy
If your doctor thinks your cancer cells are likely to spread or if they already
have, they may recommend
chemotherapy. This therapy uses anticancer drugs to kill the rapidly growing
cancer cells.
Long-term outlook
If your tumor is benign, your long-term outcome will probably be good.
However, benign bone tumors
can grow, recur, or turn into cancer, so you’ll still benefit from regular checkups.
Your outlook varies according to the type of cancer, size, location, and your
general health. Your outlook
is also good if the bone is localized.
Both malignant and benign bone tumors can recur. People who have had bone
cancer, especially at an
early age, are at higher risk of developing other types of cancer. If you have any
symptoms or health
concerns, be sure to discuss them with your doctor promptly.
Conclusion: