Bone cancer is a rare form of cancer that affects approximately 2,500 people each year in the United States, according to the Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas. Symptoms of bone cancer in kids are typically mild and may be difficult to detect. A parent or caregiver who notices bone cancer symptoms in a child should take the child to a medical professional for further evaluation and care.
Pain
Kids with bone cancer may experience sensations of pain, which is the most common symptom of this type of cancer, the National Cancer Institute reports. The severity of pain symptoms can vary from mild to severe and typically localize to the site of cancerous bone tumor growth. Normal daily activities, such as walking or running, can exacerbate bone pain symptoms in kids, depending upon the location of the bone cancer, explains KidsHealth, a children's health information website. Severe bone pain may limit a kid's ability to move the affected body region normally. A parent or caregiver may notice that their kid limps or has difficulty lifting his backpack due to bone cancer pain. If a kid complains of sudden or chronic bone pain, a parent or caregiver should have the kid evaluated by pediatrician as soon as possible.
Swelling
Cancerous cell growth within the bone can irritate and inflame the surrounding skin and tissue. As a result, kids with bone cancer can develop swollen, tender skin around the location of the bone cancer, medical professionals with the University of California San Francisco Medical Center warn. Swelling may persist for several days or weeks and can be uncomfortable to the affected kid. The swollen skin can appear red or inflamed and may interfere with a kid's ability to move the affected region normally. Kids who develop unusual body swelling accompanied by sensations of pain should be evaluated by a medical professional as such symptoms can also be signs of alternate medical problems, such as a bone fracture.
Flu-like Symptoms
Flu-like symptoms can arise in kids who have bone cancer. These signs of bone cancer can include unusual fatigue, fever or weight loss, the Anderson Cancer Center reports. Kids who develop flu-like symptoms due to bone cancer may complain that they don't feel well or can have difficulty remaining alert at school. Flu-like symptoms can be signs of alternate infections or medical problems, and affected kids should receive additional care from a physician as soon as possible.
