Diagnosing Bone Cancer
Bone cancer is a rare type of cancer that happens when cells in the bone start to grow out of control. It can be either primary, meaning it starts in the bone, or secondary, which means it spreads to the bone from another part of the body.
To diagnose bone cancer, doctors use a mix of exams, tests, and procedures. These tests help confirm the diagnosis and find out the type and stage of cancer and how serious it is. Here are the common methods used:
Exams and screening tests:
- Physical exams: Doctors may perform a physical exam to look for signs of bone cancer, such as swelling, lumps, tenderness, pain, or limited movement in areas near the affected bone.
- Imaging tests: X-rays are often the first test used to find bone cancer. They provide detailed images of the bones and can show any problem areas. Other imaging tests like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT) scans, and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans may also be used to get more information about any areas affected by cancer. These tests help determine the size, location, and extent of the cancer growth.
Procedures for diagnosis:
- Biopsy: A biopsy is an important procedure used to confirm if bone cancer is present. During a biopsy, a small sample of bone tissue is taken from the affected area and looked at under a microscope to check for cancer cells. This helps doctors find out the specific type of bone cancer and gives important information about how quickly it might grow.
Specialists involved in diagnosing bone cancer:
- Orthopedic oncologists: These specialists focus on diagnosing and treating bone cancers.
- Radiologists: They look at imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and PET scans to find any problem areas.
- Pathologists: They study biopsy samples under a microscope to confirm if cancer cells are present.
Additional exams, tests, or procedures may be done to determine what stage the cancer is at. These include:
- Blood tests: Blood tests may be ordered to check bone activity and general health. Higher levels of certain markers (signals in the blood), like alkaline phosphatase, can sometimes indicate advanced cancers.
- Additional imaging tests: In some cases, doctors may suggest more imaging tests such as bone scans, angiograms (which show blood flow in blood vessels near the bones), or more detailed MRI procedures to better understand and check the location and spread of the cancer.
These exams, tests, and procedures are important in diagnosing bone cancer. They help doctors confirm the presence of cancer cells through biopsies and provide information about the type (the specific kind of cancer), severity (how serious it is), or stage (how much it has spread) of the cancer through imaging tests and blood markers.
It's important to talk with specialists like orthopedic oncologists who have experience in diagnosing and treating bone cancers.