A bone tumor is a condition that occurs when bone cells grow abnormally. Bone tumor growth can distinguished benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) tumors, and can be further divided into several types. Gbone tumor symptoms need to be recognized early in order to fast handled.
Although the cause of bone tumors is still not known for certain, there are several factors that are suspected to trigger the growth of tumors in the bones, namely genetic disorders (heredity), injury to the bones, and exposure to radiation in high intensity, for example due to radiotherapy.
Recognize the Symptoms of a Bone Tumor
Bone tumors occur when bone cells grow uncontrollably, forming lumps in the bone. One of the common symptoms is constant pain in the area where the bone tumor grows. This pain tends to get worse with strenuous activities, and is usually more pronounced at night.
In addition to pain, there are also some other symptoms of bone tumors that you can experience, namely:
- Fever.
- Always sweating, especially at night.
- Swelling around the tumor area.
- Bones break easily, even from minor injuries.
These symptoms usually appear in the type of malignant bone tumor or bone cancer.
Benign Bone Tumor
Benign bone tumors are generally harmless because they are not aggressive and do not spread to other parts of the body. However, benign bone tumors are also at risk of causing disruption to the surrounding tissue, resulting in various complications.
Here are some types of bone tumors that are benign (noncancerous):
Osteochondroma
Osteochondroma is the most common type of benign tumor found in all cases of bone tumors. These tumors usually develop in childhood and adolescence, especially at the ends of long bones, such as the arms and legs.
Enchondroma
Echondroma is a cartilage cyst that grows in the bone marrow. These tumors can appear in the bones of the arms and hands, as well as the thighs and legs.
aneurysm bone cyst
An aneurysm bone cyst is a disorder of the blood vessels in the bone marrow. This type of tumor is often found in the knees, hips, and spine, and has the potential to interfere with bone growth.
In addition to the tumors above, there are also other types of benign bone tumors, such as osteoid osteoma, osteoblastoma, fibrous dysplasia, nonossifying unicameral fibroma, and giant cell tumors (giant cell tumor).
Malignant Bone Tumor
Malignant bone tumor or bone cancer is a dangerous condition because it can spread quickly, spread to other parts of the body, and cause damage to various body tissues. However, malignant bone tumors are very rare.
Here are some types of malignant bone tumors or bone cancer:
Chondrosarcoma
This type of malignant tumor is more prone to occur in elderly and middle-aged people, namely in the 40-70 year age group. growing chondrosarcoma It originates in cartilage cells, and usually affects the bones of the shoulder, arm, pelvis, and groin.
Osteosarcoma
Different from chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma it is more common in children and adolescents. These malignant tumors usually appear in the knees, thighs, and shins, and can grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body.
Ewing's sarcoma
Ewing's sarcoma is a type of malignant tumor that forms in the bone or soft tissue around the bone. This condition usually occurs in the age range of 5-20 years, and can appear in the bones of the upper arms, legs, pelvis, spine, ribs, and even the skull.
Treatment for bone tumors
Bone tumors can be treated by an orthopedic doctor or an orthopedic oncologist. Treatment methods for bone tumors depend on the type of bone tumor, its severity and location. If the patient has a benign bone tumor, the doctor will monitor its development, as well as prescribe drugs to relieve the symptoms that appear.
If it is necessary, the doctor can perform surgery to remove the tumor to prevent the development of the tumor which is at risk of disrupting the function of the surrounding tissue.
Meanwhile, to treat malignant bone tumors, usually special measures are needed depending on the severity and spread of cancer to other parts of the body.
There are several treatments that doctors can do to treat bone cancer, namely radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery to remove the part of the bone affected by cancer, and amputation.
Bone tumors, both benign and malignant, are a condition that should not be underestimated. Therefore, if you find a lump in the bone or feel other symptoms of a bone tumor, immediately consult a doctor.
