Understanding Bone Cancer Pain: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Bone cancer can be a very serious and very painful condition. See your doctor if you think you are exhibiting symptoms of bone cancer. Treatment is available that may slow or halt the disease's progress.

Causes

• An error in a bone cell's DNA is the beginning of bone cancer. The cell grows and divides in an uncontrolled manner.

Symptoms

• Bone pain and tenderness in the affected area can be symptoms of bone cancer. Unexplained weight loss and fatigue may also be warning signs.

Types

• Osteosarcoma begins in the bone cells, while chondrosarcoma begins in cartilage and is often found on the end of bones, according to MayoClinic.com. Ewing's sarcoma may begin in a bone's nerve tissue, according to MayoClinic.

Risk Factors

• Genetic predisposition and exposure to large doses of radiation can increase the likelihood of bone cancer. Paget's disease is a precancerous condition that can lead to bone cancer.

Treatment

• Radiation therapy may be used to shrink bone cancer so it can be removed. Surgery can remove some cancers and, if necessary, cancerous limbs.