Bone Cancer

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Bone cancer is a type of cancer in the bones where the cause is not yet known. Researchers are trying to find new and improved ways of treating this type of cancer. Some background information is stated so new research and new treatments could be understood better.
Bone cancer can be either diagnosed as primary or secondary bone cancer. Primary bone cancer is when the bone cancer starts in the bone. Secondary bone cancer is diagnosed when the cancer starts elsewhere and spreads to the bone. For example, when someone has breast, prostate, or lung cancer and end up getting bone cancer because the cancer spreads to the bone is described as secondary bone cancer. Primary bone cancer is less common than other cancers. Only about one percent of the population is diagnosed with primary bone cancer in the United States.
There are many signs and symptoms of bone cancer. A symptom is something the patient feels and sees, while a sign is something other people can see. Some include: swelling of infected areas, weakening of the bone causing higher risk for fracture, unintentional weight loss, and a lump may be felt in the affected area.
Scientists do not yet know the main cause or causes of bone cancer; but there are many risk factors that factor into an increased risk of being diagnosed with bone cancer. Age is one risk factor. Surprisingly, bone cancer is more common in younger adults than it is in older adults. As stated above, other cancers including but not limited to breast, prostate, and lung cancer could increase someone’s risk of developing secondary bone cancer if the cancer spreads to the bones. Also cancer treatments for a different cancer can cause an increase of developing bone cancer because exposure to radiation can cause b...

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...ess or treatments that are used alone without assistance from other treatments.

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