Risk Factors of Bone Cancer
Since bone cancer does not have a known cause, it is sometimes difficult to diagnose. That said, there are risk factors that may influence the growth of cancers of the bone. Knowing whether you are risk or not can help you when figuring out if any of the symptoms you are experiencing are related to bone cancer.
Here are some factors that can raise you risk for developing bone cancer:
• Genetics – Children who have familial retinoblastoma, a type of eye cancer, have a high risk of getting osteosarcoma. Similarly, people who have a family history of sarcomas, including Li-Fraumeni syndrome, have a higher risk of developing osteosarcoma. Researchers have found hundreds of genes that are passed through generations that place people at increased levels of risk for developing aggressive and rare forms of cancer. Bone cancer is no different.
• Chemotherapy for other cancers – Unfortunately, there are drugs that are used to treat one kind of cancer, such as anthracyclines and alkylating agents, that also raise your chances of getting a secondary cancer, like osteosarcoma.
• Benign tumors and other conditions of the bone – As noted above, a hereditary disease known as Paget’s disease can lead to bone cancer. Fibrous dysplasia and other noncancerous bone diseases also elevate your risk of bone cancer.
• Previous radiation therapy – Many individuals who have received radiation for other forms of cancers are at a greater risk of getting bone cancer in the region where the radiation therapy took place. This is due to the penetrating radiation reaching the soft tissues of bone and causing rarer forms of bone cancer like undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) and angiosarcoma. However, other forms can also occur.
Although bone cancer symptoms differ depending on the bones affected, there are some signs that are identical with every type. Knowing these signs is one way to keep you protected, because early detection of cancer offers the highest rates of survival. If you have certain risk factors, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, retinoblastoma, or other conditions, be sure to actively speak with your healthcare provider about preventative methods for bone cancer.
If you have any of the symptoms listed below, you should set up an appointment with a doctor immediately.
