Bone cancer is a rare form of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated 2,570 new cases of bone cancer were diagnosed in 2009. This represents less than 1 percent of all new cancers. Most bone cancers occur in children. ACS reports the two most common bone cancers in children are osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma accounting for approximately 2.7 percent and 1.4 percent of all childhood cancers, respectively. Recognizing the symptoms of childhood bone cancer can help lead to early diagnosis and improved survival.
Bone Pain
The hallmark symptom of bone cancer is bone pain. With their seemingly boundless energy and enthusiasm, children and teens often get bumps and bruises during their activities. They are also prone to transient bone pain commonly known as growing pains. You can distinguish between these normal bone pains and the pain of a tumor by noting some important differences. The aching bone pain from a tumor does not go away as do other aches and pains. In fact, bone cancer pain tends to get worse with time rather than getting better. In addition, bone tumor pain stays in the same location day after day--the site of the tumor. It does not migrate around the body as growing pains often do. As the pain of bone cancer intensifies, it may begin waking the child up at night.
Swelling and Tenderness
The area over a cancerous bone tumor often swells. It may be red and warm to the touch, although this is not uniformly the case. The swollen area over the tumor is tender when touched.
Muscular Asymmetry and Favoring One Extremity
You may notice the muscles in the arms or legs are not equal in size. For example, if your child has a tumor in her right arm, she may start preferentially using her left arm. This results in the muscles of the left arm being larger than are those of the affected right arm. An analogous situation can occur with the legs.
Limping
The American Cancer Society reports osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer in children. The most frequent location for these tumors is in the bones just above or below the knee. Limping can be a symptom of bone cancer in the leg. Young children who have just learned to walk may suddenly lose their enthusiasm for walking. You may notice your child is sitting more often than had been typical for him.
Painful Lifting
A cancerous tumor in the arm may cause pain with lifting objects because the weight of the object pulls on the affected bone. Early on, this may be the only time the arm hurts. A young child may refuse to pick things up because it causes pain.
Unexplained Weight Loss and Fatigue
Although not specific for bone cancer, unexplained weight loss is a frequent symptom of cancer. Similarly, the gradual onset of fatigue is a common symptom of cancer. You may notice your child seems less energetic and playful.
References
- American Cancer Society: Cancer Facts and Figures 2009
- Mayo Clinic: Bone Cancer Symptoms
- National Cancer Institute: Bone Cancer Questions and Answers
- American Cancer Society: How is Bone Cancer Diagnosed?
- "Clinical Oncology, Third Edition"; Martin D. Abeloff, M.D., et al, Editors; 2004
