Treatment for Bone Cancer
By: Alin ThomsTotal Views: 186, Word Count: 539,
Bone cancer is caused due to the problem in cells that form the bones. In United States, more than 2000 people are diagnosed of bone cancer. Bone cancer is mainly detected in adults and children. They are found less in older adults. The cancer detection in old adults is due to the result of a metastatic spread from the other tumor. There is certain treatment for bone cancer. The treatments are given according to the type of bone cancer.
Cancer that originates in bone is called primary bone cancer. It is uncommon as compared to the secondary cancer. Bones play an important role in the human body. They protect and support the internal organs. The most common types of bone cancer are Chondrosarcoma, Osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma. These cancers are treated depending on the size, type, stage and location and the patient’s age and general health.
Treatments for Bone Cancer
Before treating bone cancer, your doctor will consider some important factors. As mentioned above, the doctor will check the stage, age and many other factors. Treatment is of three types:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
Surgery
Surgery treatment is given to eradicate bone cancer on the affected bone. To make this possible, doctors take away a small portion of the unaffected healthy tissue and the tumor that is bounded. The surgery types that are used for treatment of bone cancer are:
Surgery to eradicate a limb:
For the bone cancers that are large in size and those which are located in a complicated area needs surgery treatment. Treatment through surgery is given to extract all or some part of a limb. As now, there are lots of developed treatments, so this treatment is vanishing. You will be also fitted with an artificial limb and then given the training for using the new limb.
Surgery that is made to eradicate the cancer:
If the cancer is in such stage that it is separated from the other tissues and nerves, the surgeon can then remove the cancer affected bone. The lost bone can also be replaced by some other bone from the body.
Radiation Therapy
High- powered energy beams are used in radiation therapy. The beams are the X-rays that can kill the cancer cells. In the radiation therapy, you will have to recline on the table. A special therapy machine will move around you which will provide energy beam rays at the affected body points. This therapy is basically used to shrink bone cancer. Chemotherapy along with radiation therapy can be used combined.
When the stage of the cancer is such that the cancer cannot be removed by surgery, then radiation therapy is given to the people. If any cells, cancer cells remain after surgery, then these cells can be killed by giving radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy
A drug treatment which is used to kill the cancer cells is known as chemotherapy. It is mostly injected through a vein. These medications will then travel throughout the body. Chemotherapy is given before the surgery.
Above mentioned is the treatment for bone cancer. The treatments are given according to the type and stages of cancer.
About the Author
Dr.Alin Thoms is a well known cancer specialist ( oncologist) and has been in this field since from 1995. He uses radiotherapy or drugs to treat cancer. He has done B.A and B.M.B.ch from Oxford University. His special interests lies in - leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and chemotherapy and transplantation for these disorders. He is currently director of the North London Cancer Network
Advice Rating: Not yet rated
Login to vote