Bone Cancer Symptom Guide

Chronic Fatigue

Chronic fatigue is commonly associated with bone cancers because of the nature of their function. While bones have many structural functions, they are also responsible for creating new red blood cells in the bone marrow. A malignant tumor of the bone can cause a significant disruption in the healthy production of red blood cells, especially if it is located in a large bone like the femur or pelvis. When the body produces less red blood cells than it should, the condition is called anemia. Without enough red blood cells, the tissues around the body do not receive a sufficient amount of oxygen, and without adequate amounts of oxygen, the cells will struggle to carry out their designated functions and cause the patient to feel sluggish. In addition, cancerous tumors often produce substances such as tumor necrosis factor that cause an individual to feel tired. Other bone tumors can release toxic substances that inhibit healthy cells from producing chemicals in the body like calcium and potassium, which are essential for the proper function of the heart and muscles. When such chemical levels in the body are too low, patients will feel fatigued frequently.

Discover more bone cancer warning signs now.

Weakened Bones

Some bone cancer patients present with weakened bones as a result of their malignancy. Healthy bone is consistently being broken down by specialized cells in the bone called osteoclasts, and other specialized cells called osteoblasts rebuild it. In order to maintain optimal bone strength and health, both processes are carefully calibrated and coordinated with each other. However, individuals with bone cancer experience an interruption in this healthy balance. Disruption of the osteoblast and osteoclast action balance can result in the breakdown of more bone than the body is able to replace. With bone loss, there is reduced density and calcification of the bones. The decrease in these characteristics causes the bones to become weaker than normal. Often times, the symptom of weakened bones will not be apparent until the patient experiences a fracture in the affected bone. An initial fracture due to weak bones is caused by minimal impact or a simple fall. Healthy bones are able to withstand considerable forces of impact, where weakened or low-density bones will fracture with from a simple bump.

Discover more information about the symptoms of bone cancer now.