| Over 2,000 people in the US are diagnosed with bone | | | | needed. In extreme circumstances, amputation may |
| cancer each year. This type of cancer is caused by a | | | | be required. |
| problem with the cells that make up the bone. It is | | | | Chemotherapy is used to stop the growth of the |
| more common in children and adolescents. When it | | | | cancerous cells. It can be used prior to surgery in |
| occurs in adults it is likely caused by being spread | | | | order to shrink the tumor making it easier to remove. |
| from another cancerous tumor. | | | | Or, it can be used after surgery to kill the remaining |
| There are numerous methods used to treat bone | | | | cells that weren't removed with the tumor. |
| cancer and is usually determined by the type of bone | | | | Radiation is the last treatment for bone cancer. A |
| cancer, the location of the cancer, and the | | | | high energy X-ray is used to kill the cancer cells. |
| aggressiveness of the cancer. The three types of | | | | Generally, it is performed in small doses and over a |
| treatment are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, | | | | longer period of time, maybe even months. |
| and they are used either individually or in conjunction | | | | The prognosis for those with bone cancer is typically |
| with each other. | | | | very good if the cancer is caught early. The survival |
| Surgery is used to remove the entire tumor and | | | | rate varies among gender and race, but the average |
| surrounding area of bone. After the removal of the | | | | is 70%. It is important if you experience any of the |
| tumor if it is determined that the bone surrounding is | | | | symptoms to visit your doctor quickly. |
| abnormal, then one of the other treatments may be | | | | |