Bone Cancer: Understanding the Disease & Homeopathy Treatment Options

2. INTRODUCTION • Neoplasms of the musculoskeletal system are of various types, including osteogenic, chondrogenic, fibrogenic, muscle (rhabdomyogenic), and marrow (reticulum) cell tumors as well as nerve, vascular, and fatty cell tumors. • They may be primary tumors or metastatic tumors from primary cancers elsewhere in the body (eg, breast, lung, prostate, kidney). Metastatic bone tumors are more common than primary bone tumors.

3. TYPES: • Benign Bone Tumors • are more common than malignant primary bone tumors • generally are slow growing • well circumscribed • encapsulated

4. OSTEOCHONDROMA • most common benign bone tumor • usually occurs as a large projection of bone at the end of long bones

5. ECHONDROMA • common tumor of the hyaline cartilage

6. BONE CYST • expanding lesions within the bone • eg, aneurysmal bone cyst • young adults • eg. Unicameral (single cavity) bone cysts • Children

7. OSTEOID OSTEOMA • painful tumor that occurs in children and young adults • the neoplastic tissue is surrounded by reactive bone formation that can be identified by x-ray

8. GIANT CELL TUMORS (OSTEOCLASTOMAS) • occur in young adults • soft and hemorrhagic

9. MALIGNANT BONE TUMORS • Primary malignant musculoskeletal tumors are relatively rare and arise from connective and supportive tissue cells or bone marrow elements Malignant primary musculoskeletal tumors include:

10. CAUSES OF BONE CANCER • The exact cause of bone cancer is unknown. Some common cause and risk factors of bone cancer are as follows:- • Any change in DNA can lead to development of abnormal cells. • Some genetic disorder like multiple osteochondroma, Paget’s disease can increase the risk of cancer. • Certain cancer treatments, like radiation, chemotherapy can increase the risk of developing cancer. • Bone cancer can also occur due to cancer that has spread from another part of body. • Smoking, alcohol consumption may increase the risk of developing bone tumor.

11. OSTEOSARCOMA • (ie, osteogenic sarcoma) • most common and most often fatal primary malignant bone tumor • appears most frequently in • children • adolescents and young adults (in bones that grow rapidly) • in older people with Paget’s disease of the bone • people with a prior history of radiation exposure • Clinical manifestations typically include: • localized bone pain that may be accompanied by a tender, palpable soft tissue mass

12. CHONDROSARCOMA • Malignant tumors of the hyaline cartilage • second most common primary malignant bone tumor • large, bulky, tumors that may grow and metastasize slowly or very fast, depending on the characteristics of the tumor cells involved (ie, grade) • occur in young adults and are soft and hemorrhagic • When these tumors are well differentiated, large bloc excision or amputation of the affected extremity results in increased survival rates • giant cell tumors may undergo malignant transformation and metastasize

13. Ewing’s sarcoma • Fibrosarcoma • Soft tissue sarcomas include: • Liposarcoma • Fibrosarcoma of soft tissue • Rhabdomyosarcoma

14. METASTATIC BONE DISEASE • more common than primary bone tumors • Tumors arising from tissues elsewhere in the body may invade the bone and produce localized bone destruction (lytic lesions) or bone overgrowth (blastic lesions).

15. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS • may be symptom-free or have pain that ranges from mild and occasional to constant and severe, varying degrees of disability, and, at times, obvious bone growth • The tumor may be diagnosed only after pathologic fracture has • It can progress rapidly or slowly

16. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS • Weight loss • Malaise • fever • With spinal metastasis, spinal cord compression may occur • Neurologic deficits must be identified early and treated with decompressive laminectomy to prevent permanent spinal cord injury:

17. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS • progressive pain • weakness • gait abnormality • paresthesia • paraplegia • urinary retention • loss of bowel or bladder control

18. Hypercalcemia is present with bone metastases • Symptoms of hypercalcemia include: • muscle weakness • Fatigue • Anorexia • Nausea • Vomiting • Polyuria • cardiac dysrhythmias • seizures

19. coma. Hypercalcemia must be identified and treated promptly • incoordination • constipation • electrocardiographic changes (eg, shortened QT interval and ST segment, bradycardia, heart blocks) • altered mental states (eg, confusion, lethargy, psychotic behavior)

21. BONE CANCER HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT:- Calc Flour: • Pain in affected bone or joint. • Stiffness, swelling, tenderness, and sometimes redness in the area. • Bone fractures. • Night sweats. • Fever. • Fractures in bones weakened by cancer. Silicea: • Icy cold and sweaty feet. • Stimulates reabsorption of fibrotic conditions and scar tissue. • Bone diseases, caries, necrosis, and tumors. • Ill effects of vaccinations. • Suppurative processes.

22. BONE CANCER HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT:- Ruta: • Affects the periosteum and cartilages. • Tendency for deposits on periosteum, tendons, and around joints. • Pain throughout the body, as if bruised. • Intense lassitude and weakness. • Tenderness and pain in affected areas. • Stiffness and pain in various bones.