The terminology used in cancer diagnosis can be confusing. Usually, cancers are named for the body area they affect, which makes sense. Colon cancer develops and is found in the colon, and lung cancer is found in the lung. But sometimes, this is more challenging to understand. A perfect example is bone cancer and bone marrow cancer. These types of cancers are often confused and mixed up. Let’s discuss what these cancers are and how they are different.
Bone cancers develop in the cells that make up bone structure. They can also develop in nearby connective tissue, such as cartilage, fat, muscle, and blood vessels. They often start in long bones like the legs or arms. The first sign that something may be wrong is pain, a mass, or a lump on a bone.
There are several types of bone cancers. The three most common are Osteosarcoma, Ewing Sarcoma, and Chondrosarcoma. Bone cancers are treated by oncologists. Bone cancers are rare, making up less than 1% of all cancers. They usually occur in children and young adults.
The diagnosis is made using imaging studies such as CT scans, PET scans, and X-rays. A biopsy of the abnormal lump is also needed.
Treatment varies depending on how localized or involved the cancer cells are within the body. Often, surgery is required, and chemotherapy and radiation therapy may also be required.
It is important to note that primary bone cancer is different from bone metastasis. Bone metastasis occurs when cancer from another body area spreads to the bones. If lung cancer starts growing in bone space, this is called bone metastasis. It is usually a sign of advanced disease.
Bone marrow cancers develop in the bone marrow, the soft, spongy material inside your bones. The bone marrow acts as your blood cell factory, where your blood cells develop.
The three main types of blood cells include:
White blood cells, which fight infection.
Red blood cells which carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.
Platelets, which protect us from bleeding.
If any one of these types of cells becomes cancerous or develops abnormalities, bone marrow cancer occurs.
Bone marrow cancers may appear anywhere in the body. Common signs of something wrong include frequent infections or fevers, drenching night sweats, unplanned weight loss, pain, and extreme fatigue. They can also appear as abnormal lumps and bumps that slowly grow over time.
The three most common types of bone marrow cancer include Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Multiple Myeloma. These bone marrow cancers are treated by hematologists-oncologists. Bone marrow cancers make up 9% of all cancers. They occur most often in young children and older adults but can be diagnosed at any age.
The diagnosis is usually made using blood tests, imaging studies such as CT scans, PET scans, X-rays, and a bone marrow biopsy.
Treatment varies, ranging from chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and bone marrow transplants. Sometimes, with low-grade disease, no treatment is necessary. In these cases, patients are monitored over time with surveillance blood work and imaging studies.
Bone and bone marrow cancer may sound similar, but they differ in how, when, and where they develop and how they are diagnosed and treated. Awareness of these differences is essential to avoid confusion and ensure accurate information is sought regarding these two very different cancers.
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