Secondary Bone Cancer

Secondary bone cancer is a cancer that has spread from a cancer located in an entirely different area to the bones. It is far more common than primary bone cancer, which starts in the bones. Some types of cancer often spread over to the bones, becoming secondary bone cancer. These primary cancers include prostate, lung and breast. In many cases, secondary bone cancers is diagnosed years after the primary cancer has been treated.

Symptoms

Some common symptoms of secondary bone cancer include unexplained tiredness and fatigue, spinal cord pressure that can lead to weakness and paralysis, chronic pain in the afflicted location, weak bones, nausea, digestive issues, confusion, drowsiness and anemia.

Treatment

Several different types of treatment are available to treat secondary bone cancer. These treatments are usually based on the primary cancer. Some of these treatment options include radiation therapy (like external beam radiation, 3D conformal radiation and intensity modulated radiation therapy), chemotherapy and immunotherapy (also known as biotherapy). Generally, whatever type of treatment worked well with the primary cancer is used on the secondary bone cancer.

Alternative Therapies

Often, alternative therapies are used to complement other treatment options for secondary bone cancer. Some therapies that work alongside traditional secondary bone cancer therapies are pain management (learning manage pain and not let it interfere with daily life), nutritional therapy (teaching proper nutrition and diet) and spiritual support (emphasizing the link between healing and spirituality).

Other Symptoms

Some symptoms that are less common but still possible in individuals dealing with secondary bone cancer are sharp nerve pain, incontinence, fractures from smaller traumas, abdominal aches, excessive weight loss, anorexia, dehydration, increased sweating during the nighttime, excessive thirst and confusion.

Causes

Some possible causes associated with secondary bone cancer include diseases and disorders such as melanoma, histiocytosis X, bladder cancer, bronchogenic carcinoma, myeloma, thyroid carcinoma, carcinoid syndrome and carcinoid tumors, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer and various other conditions.

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