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Bone cancer in children: how to diagnose and treatment

Bone cancer in children: how to diagnose and treatment

Edited by: TOP DOCTORS® at 10/10/2023

The fact that a tumor is detected in a bone does not mean it is a bad thing or that will end in amputation. Some causes of bone tumors, known to date are viral loads, genetic inheritance and radiation exposure.

bone cancer José Manuel Ruano Aguilar

One of the issues also related to pediatric surgery and oncology is bone cancer. However, the fact that a tumor is detected in a bone does not mean it is a bad thing or will end in amputation.

Bone tumors can be of two types: benign and malignant. In childhood, most are benign but about 10% could be malignant.

Among the most common malignant tumors are osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma. There are many other benign tumors such as cysts or aneurysmal bone cysts and growth problems in the tables of the bones that are called osteochondroma.

Some symptoms of bone cancer in children and some causes

It is important to pay attention to children when they say it is hurting them a bone. A bone pain that persists for more than a week should always be seen by a pediatrician and pediatric oncologist. That kind of discomfort is the most obvious sign of the presence of a bone tumor. If the pain is persistent need to take an x-ray.

Some causes of bone cancer

Some causes of bone tumors, known to date are:

  • important viral loads in the case of osteosarcoma
  • genetic predisposition
  • Radiation exposure

Chemotherapy, between one of the treatment options

15 years ago all patients who had cancer in the bone were subjected to amputation. Today in pediatric oncology, it has a surgery called "limb salvage" which involves removing the tumor of bone to subsequently subjecting the patient to chemotherapy and rehabilitation.

Medical Oncology in Magdalena Contreras