Bone cancers are rare. They make up less than 1% of cancers. But even so, this type of cancer we should recognize before it becomes fatal. This can develop at any age, they are more common in children, teenagers and young adults than in older adults. Some types of bone cancer occur primarily in children, while others affect mostly adults.

In fact, noncancerous bone tumors are much more common than cancerous ones. Even so, benign bone tumors may still become cancerous resulting in weak bones and destruction of healthy bone tissue.

How does primary bone cancer affect children and adolescents? Primary bone cancer develops at the areas where bone grows and when the cells in a certain area of the body divide and multiply too rapidly. This produces a lump of tissue known as a tumour. The faster the growth, the larger the lump will be and this indicates the stage of the malignancy. Primary bone cancer can also affect adults (over 50 years) with different types.

Secondary cancer affect mainly adults, developed from benign tumor and then turned up malignant ones. Many tumors that begin in organs or other parts of the body can spread to the bones, as well as other body parts. These growths are called secondary or metastatic bone cancers. Breast, prostate and lung tumors most commonly metastasize (spread) to the bones.

The main complaints found in bone cancer are the swelling and redness (inflammation) or notice a lump on or around the affected bone, followed by pain, and in some cases, the cancer can weaken a bone, causing it to break (fracture) easily after a minor injury or fall.

Here are some tests can be carried out to diagnose bobe cancer :
1. Lab examination, including a complete blood count test and tumor markers.
2. X-ray of the chest and in the area of the suspected bone.
3. MRI, to determine the magnitude of the cancer and the likelihood of its spread.
4. Biopsy, to find out the type and degree of tumor malignancy.

Author : A. Andryani,dr., Sp.PK (doctor in charge of PRAMITA Clinical Laboratory Branch Jl. Amir Mahmud No. 460 Cimahi)