What are the symptoms of bone cancer, how is bone cancer diagnosed?
What are the symptoms of bone cancer, how is bone cancer diagnosed?
What are the symptoms of bone cancer?: The most common symptoms of bone cancer are swelling, pain, limitation of movement in the joint, deterioration of the normal appearance of the bone or joint. Sometimes pain and swelling develop after a blow. Those with these complaints should see a doctor.
How is bone cancer diagnosed?
In order to diagnose bone cancer, the doctor firstly questions the personal and family history of the person, and the risk factors are evaluated. Afterwards, an examination is made and necessary medical tests and examinations are planned. We can list the tests that help in diagnosis as follows:
• X-ray examination. The location, size and shape of the bone tumor can be determined in an X-ray examination using X-rays. If a suspicious area related to cancer can be detected in the x-ray examination, a more definite diagnosis is made with further examinations.
• Bone scintigraphy. It is an examination performed by giving a radioactive material collected in bones into a vein. It is used to detect the areas where there are abnormal formations in the bone. Not every cancer detected in scintigraphy is evaluated by the doctor.
• Computed tomography. It is an examination that provides more detailed anatomical images than x-rays, created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine that takes images of the body from various angles.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is an imaging method that uses very strong magnets that evaluate the magnetic changes in the organs without the use of radiation and create images depending on the computer.
Positron emission tomography (PET). It is an examination performed by injecting a small amount of radioactive sugar (glucose) into the vein, where the accumulation is determined with a specially designed scanner because it is collected more in the cancerous tissue and accumulates in the cancer cell. A special computer program illustrates where the radiolabeled sugar is collected. It is usually performed with computed tomography.
Angiography. It is the process of intravenous administration of contrast agent to obtain the image of blood vessels. After the procedure, x-rays are taken and the vascularization of the mass is evaluated.
Biopsy. It is the process of examining the cancer type in pathology by taking a piece from the mass in order to be able to identify it. The surgeon can remove a piece of the mass through a small incision (incisional biopsy). A piece of the mass can be removed using a thick needle (tru-cut biopsy). In bone cancers, orthopedist assistance is sought for biopsy. The biopsy is sent to the pathology laboratory and evaluated by the pathologist under the microscope.
• Blood tests. The enzyme called alkaline phosphatase can increase in the blood of bone cancers. It is evaluated by the oncology doctor as it may increase in children due to growth, fractures and liver diseases.
