Different types of treatment can be chosen depending on several factors: stage of cancer, its type, age and health of the patient and his preferences. The usual treatment of the bones cancer include: radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy and a combination of these methods.
Bone cancer treatment: Sugery
During the surgical intervention the tumour can be removed. The stroked tissue is taken with the health tissue which is near it. The surgical intervention can be of several types:
- Removing of a limb. Sometimes the big tumours or too aggressive cancer cells may be removed only with the whole limb or with the part of the limb. The procedure of amputation is not very popular now because of existing of more effective treatment. After amputation the artificial limb is fitted and patient has to learn how to deal with it and how to do the everyday tasks in easy way.
- Removing of a bone. When cancer is located in a bone only, this bone can be removed careful. The free space can be filled with the bone from another part of the body or with the special prosthesis made from metal. The rehabilitative therapy is obligatory in any case.
- Removing of a bone with some tissue. This method is used when cancer filled the bone and a tissue near it. After the removing operation, special metal prosthesis can be put in.
Bone cancer treatment: Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is based on x-rays, which can kill the cancer cells. X-rays are made by a special machine.
Radiation therapy also can stop the increasing of a cancer cells. For this purpose it is usually used with chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy can also reduce the pain. Sometimes this method is used after surgery, to kill cancer cells which still stay in the body. Radiation therapy is the only way for people who are against amputation.
Bone cancer treatment: Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is based on drugs which can kill the cancer’s cells. Almost all drugs of this type are given intravenously. Sometimes this method is used with radiation therapy before or after surgery. Chemotherapy is the best treatment when cancer cells are already spread in the body.