Metastases in the bone - this is a very common phenomenon in oncology. Cancer cells, multiplying, can affect various tissues of the body. In some cases, they go to the bone, which causes patients to experience severe pain in the bones. In addition, metastases are manifested in various neurological disorders, frequent fractures, an overabundance of calcium in the body. Bony metastases often appear in patients with breast cancer, prostate and thyroid gland, kidneys, lungs .
Symptoms and Diagnosis for Bone Metastases
Metastases can affect various bones of the musculoskeletal system, mainly the central part of it, greatly complicating the life of an already sick person, selecting the necessary strength for recovery and recovery. In addition to the main disease, the oncological patient has to contend with this complication.
Symptoms of metastases in the bones:
- pain in the bones, especially in the spine;
- limited mobility and numbness of the limbs;
- complicated urination;
- fast fatigue, poor appetite, nausea and thirst.
Oncologists should be observed by the doctor for metastases in order to avoid such complications or take the necessary measures in time. At the first signs of metastasis, special studies are carried out in the bones, which make it possible to diagnose the disease at its very beginning. Early diagnosis helps to start treatment in time, and this is a guarantee that the patient will have fewer complications, including pain in metastases in the bones.
Treatment of metastases in the bones
Since the treatment of metastases in the bones is very difficult, the treatment consists of several levels:
- antitumor treatment;
- maintenance therapy.
That is, first of all, they are struggling with the source of the disease itself.
Local treatment is also used. Depending on the degree and characteristics of the disease, the patient's condition, the doctor prescribes radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surgery, cement plasty or other treatment. Most often, several methods are combined for treatment.
Chemotherapy kills cancer cells, but, unfortunately, affects the healthy. Hormonal treatment is aimed at restoring the balance of hormones in the body. Sometimes you have to remove those organs that produce "extra" hormones. X-rays can destroy cancer cells or reduce the rate of their reproduction and spread. Immune treatment can increase the body's resistance to cancer cells. Radiofrequency amputation consists in the fact that the tumor is acted upon by an electric current through the needle. Surgical treatment is used to relieve pain.
Basically, all types of treatment are aimed either at fighting the underlying disease, or at alleviating the condition of the patient and relieving the pain syndrome. Often apply and treatment with medications - they reduce pain, but have many side effects.
With some forms of the disease, treatment is impossible, it is possible to alleviate the patient's lot only by relieving pain.
Cancer metastases in the bone and bone cancer are completely different things. Metastases are more common. And it's still the consequences of the underlying disease, bone cancer is the underlying disease. Therefore, the therapy for these diseases differs radically.
Metastases are found, most often, in cancer patients with advanced or complex forms of cancer. Despite the widespread opinion that metastases are evidence of an early death of a patient, clinics are currently successfully treating patients with even a grade 4 oncology complicated by metastases.