Bone Cancer (cont.)

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What does the future hold for patients with bone cancer?

There has been much recent advancement in the understanding and treatment of bone cancer. These developments have led to more focused radiation therapy techniques to reduce the risk to surrounding tissues, better combinations of chemotherapy with less risk and side effects, and improved treatment options, including limb-salvaging surgery, that decrease the need for amputation.

There is currently much work being conducted in each of these areas as well as investigations into the causes of cancer. It is hoped that a better understanding of the specific causes of cancer will lead to gene-therapy techniques to target specific cancer cells with limited risk to other normal cells.

Can bone cancer be prevented?

No. There is no method of preventing bone cancer.

REFERENCES:

Abed, R., and R. Grimer. "Surgical Modalities in the Treatment of Bone Sarcoma in Children." Cancer Treat Rev. 36.4 June 2010: 342-347.

Ilaslan, H., J. Schils, W. Nageotte, S.A. Lietman, M. Sundaram. "Clinical Presentation And Imaging Of Bone And Soft-Tissue Sarcomas." Cleve Clin J Med. 77 Suppl 1 Mar. 2010: S2-7.

Lietman, S.A., and M.J. Joyce. "Bone Sarcomas: Overview of Management, With a Focus on Surgical Treatment Considerations." Cleve Clin J Med. 77 Suppl 1 Mar. 2010: S8-12.

Sheplan, L.J., and J.J. Juliano. "Use of Radiation Therapy for Patients With Soft-Tissue and Bone Sarcomas." Cleve Clin J Med. 77 Suppl 1 Mar. 2010: S27-9.

Weber, K.L. "Evaluation of the Adult Patient (Aged >40 Years) With a Destructive Bone Lesion." J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 18.3 Mar. 2010: 169-179.


Reviewed by Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD on 2/15/2012

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