What Are Causes Of Bone Cancer?

Causes of bone cancer - An malignant tumor begins with an abnormal cell. The reason why a cell becomes malignant is unknown. It is thought that "something" changes certain genes or damages them in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and it will multiply 'uncontrolled'. In most cases of primary bone cancer, it is not known why cells become malignant. The cause of bone cancer is usually not known. The most common forms of bone cancer are:

• Osteosarcoma
• Chondrosarcoma.
• Ewing sarcoma

The following are discussed what can be the causes of these types of bone cancer:

• Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor that often occurs in the bones of the arms or legs. The disease often affects young people and occurs more frequently in men than women. Furthermore, osteosarcoma occurs more frequently in people suffering from Paget's disease. Radiation can also cause someone to get osteosarcoma faster.
• Chondrosarcoma is a slow-growing form of bone cancer. The tumor usually occurs in the bone but produces cartilage cells rather than bone cells. This disorder is more common among older people and middle-aged people than among young people and more often in men than in women. Chondrosarcoma occurs most of the bones of the arms and legs. But it also occurs in flat bones, such as the shoulder blade, hip hip and sacred leg (part of the pelvis). Chondrosarcoma can develop into the bone tissue due to radiation treatment. People with the disease Multiple hereditary exostoses can get chondrosarcoma faster.
• Ewing sarcoma is a form of bone cancer that occurs in the bone marrow that occurs in almost any bone. Ewing sarcoma occurs most of the shank of long, tubular bones, in the pelvis and in the ribs. But every bone can be affected, including the bones of the skull and the face and the collarbone. Ewing sarcoma usually occurs in people under the age of 20.

Complications
Even in case of a minor bodily injury, the affected bones can break because they are weakened by the bone fracture.

The tumor may expand to other parts of the body, such as to other bones and to organs such as the lungs and the liver. Also, the tumor may expand to nearby muscles or joints, which may limit some body functions. The treatment of these metastases means that sometimes a whole limb has to be removed (amputation).

The patient may also be affected by side effects due to the chemotherapy used. Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, hair loss and heart problems.

*Image source : Wikimedia Commons

References :

1. National Cancer Institute
2. Medicinfo Encyclopedia
3. American Cancer Society