Tenderness and Swelling
Bone cancer is often accompanied with swelling and tenderness around the area where the tumor is developing. You might notice that the location is red, tender, and hot to the touch, as well. The reason for this tenderness and inflammation is due to the immune response of the body. Cancer is not normal. Therefore, the body responds by putting the immune system into overdrive to attack the tumor, and this causes the site to become inflamed, hot, and painful to the touch.
Another reason for the tenderness and swelling would be the tumor’s location. Tumors that form near the major joints will become painfully swollen the more the joint is utilized throughout the day. When joints cannot move the way they are supposed to, due to the tumor growth or other factors, the tissues around the joint will get micro damages and traumas that cause irritation. Damaged tissues often incite your body to use the same immune response as it would have against an infection—inflammation.
Some tumors, however, will appear beneath the skin as slightly tender lumps. You might notice these lumps during self inspection. These lumps can sometimes be detected in earlier stages of bone cancer.
