Saving A Girl's Leg From Bone Cancer | Medical News and Health Information

Reported May 27, 2011
Saving A Girl's Leg From Bone Cancer -- Research Summary

BACKGROUND: Bone cancer, also known as bone tumors, is a form of cancer caused by an abnormal growth in the bone’s cells. These tumors can be benign or malignant and are commonly found to affect children and adolescents. Bone tumors often arise in areas of the bone that experience rapid growth. An estimated 2,650 people were diagnosed with bone cancer in 2010, and 1,460 sufferers died. Although the reasons for developing bone cancer are unknown, some possible causes include genetic mutations, radiation, and trauma.

SYMPTOMS: It is vital to recognize the symptoms of bone cancer, especially if there has been some sort of trauma or injury to the bones. Some signs of a potential cancerous growth include:
• Bone fractures, even from a slight injury
• Pain in the bones that might worsen at night
• Occasionally, a mass and swelling that you can feel at the tumor site

Note: Some benign tumors have no symptoms.

(SOURCE: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)

DONOR BONE: Patients suffering from bone cancer have options when considering their preferred form of treatment. One option that is proving to be extremely effective is using donor bone (bone donated from cadavers). The dead bone is implanted into the patient’s body against their living bones. Over time, the framework provided by the dead bone enables the living bone to grow; the bones heal together.

ADVANTAGES: When compared to grafting a living bone from within the patient’s body, there are some advantages to using a donor bone.
• More economical: Donor bones are less expensive than grafting a living bone from the patient. Generally, bones used to graft are taken from the hip. Although the fusion rate of using the patient’s living bone is slightly better, surgical expenses are costly.
• Less time consuming: The patient saves time by forgoing an additional surgery.
• Less pain and fewer complications: The risk of having an infection, hematomas, and fractures are not as significant when using a donor bone. Also, there is less pain since there is only one surgery site. (SOURCE: www.back.com/faq.html)

POTENTIAL RISKS: As with most surgical procedures, there are potential risks to be considered. Since the donor bone is from a cadaver, it does not contain any living cells; this incompatibility could pose re-absorption problems, and the bone could be rejected. Although all donated bones are carefully treated, there is still a small chance of disease transmission. Also, it also may take longer for the donated bone to achieve a solid fusion as compared to a living bone from the patient. (SOURCE: www.back.com/faq.html) MORE

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Monina Wagner, Media Relations Manager
Cleveland Clinic
Wagnerm5@ccf.org

Saving A Girl's Leg From Bone Cancer -- Research Summary | Medical News and Health Information


Saving A Girl's Leg From Bone Cancer | Medical News and Health Information


Saving a Girl's Leg From Bone Cancer -- In Depth Doctor's Interview | Medical News and Health Information