Bone cancer is a rare form of cancer that is diagnosed in approximately 2,000 patients each year in the United States, explain doctors at The University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. This form of cancer develops when abnormal, unregulated cells begin to grown within the tissue of the bones. Bone cancer symptoms in humans are limited but should be discussed with your doctor if they occur.
Pain
The most common bone cancer symptom in humans is pain, explain health officials at the National Cancer Institute. Depending upon the extent of bone tumor growth, painful sensations can vary in severity from mild to severe. Painful bone cancer symptoms arise gradually and can be characterized as sharp or achy. These painful sensation may occur constantly or intermittently within the affected bone and typically worsen as cancerous cells continue to grow. If you experience sudden or severe bone pain, contact your doctor immediately as such side effects can be indicative of a broken or fractured bone.
Swelling
Cancerous cells within your bone tissue can cause irritation and inflammation. These symptoms of bone cancer can cause the skin that surrounds the affected bone to enlarge or swell, explain doctors at The Mayo Clinic, which can make it difficult for you to move the affected body region. Symptoms of swelling can be accompanied by sensations of tenderness near the affected bone or joint. You can also notice that the skin covering the affected bone appears red or discolored.
Bone Fractures
Bone cancer can weaken your delicate bone tissue and can increase your risk of experiencing bone fractures as a symptom of this disease, explains The University of Maryland Medical Center. If you have bone cancer, you can sustain extensive bone damage even after minor injuries, such as bumping into a door or wall. Frequent bone fractures can be painful and may occur in conjunction with swelling, inflammation and bruising.
Flu-like Symptoms
Flu-like symptoms can occur as signs of bone cancer in humans, report Mayo Clinic health professionals. You can experience increased fatigue, fever, body aches, headache or weight loss due to bone cancer. Speak with your doctor if you develop any of these bone cancer symptoms, as flu-like symptoms can also be indicative of alternate medical complications.
