Secondary Bone Cancer

To Learn More About This Topic: Chat with Us | Email Us

A secondary bone cancer diagnosis changes everything. Your priorities have shifted, and understanding and finding a treatment plan is now your most important goal. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) we know how important understanding and finding a treatment plan is, and offer information 24 hour a day about our treatment options. If you are interested in learning more about our treatment options, and whether CTCA is the right facility for you, call 800-615-3055 and speak with one of our Oncology Information Specialists. You can also chat online about secondary bone cancer anytime you would like.

Secondary Bone Cancer Information

Secondary bone cancer is a cancer that has spread, or metastasized, from a primary cancer in another part of the body to the bones. It's more common than primary bone cancer, which is cancer that originates in the bones themselves. The most common primary cancers that metastasize to the bones are breast, lung, and prostate, and the bones most commonly affected are the spine, ribs, pelvis, skull, and the upper bones of the arms and legs. Some secondary bone cancers, such as those that metastasize from the kidneys, appear years after the primary cancer has been treated, and are diagnosed as secondary bone cancer because the cells resemble the cells of the primary cancer, rather than bone cancer cells.

If you would like to learn more about your secondary bone cancer treatment options and our unique approach to cancer treatment, please call us at 800-615-3055. Or, chat online about secondary bone cancer with one of our Oncology Information Specialists. They will help you determine if Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) is the right facility for you.

Secondary Bone Cancer Symptoms

Secondary bone cancer symptoms are as follows:

Chronic pain in the afflicted area
Weakened bones, often leading to "pathological fractures," bone fractures that occur as a result of the bone's fragility, not from an external force
Pressure on the spinal cord that can cause weakness or even paralysis
Nausea, constipation, drowsiness, and confusion often caused by a raised level of calcium in the blood (referred to as hypercalcemia)
Unexplained fatigue
Anemia and increased susceptibility to infection as cancer cells invade further into the bone and hamper the bone marrow's blood cell manufacturing capabilities.

It is important to keep in mind that while these health problems are recognized as secondary bone cancer symptoms, they can indicate a number of other medical conditions as well. If you experience these symptoms, please visit your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Diagnostic methods include X-rays, blood tests and advanced detection tools such as MRI. These tests help determine the location and severity of the disease and can help your doctors develop an accurate secondary bone cancer prognosis.

Secondary Bone Cancer Treatment Options

Secondary bone cancer treatment is based on the primary cancer, and often responds to the same types of treatment. Your team at Cancer Treatment Centers of America will work with you to develop an individualized, integrative treatment plan. We offer a full spectrum of cancer treatment options.

Radiation Therapy: One of the three primary forms of cancer treatment, radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination with surgery, chemotherapy, and complementary or alternative methods. At CTCA, we employ several innovative forms of radiation therapy:
- 3-D Conformal Radiation - allows for radiation to conform to the exact shape of the tumor, sparing healthy surrounding tissue.
- External Beam Radiation - one of the most commonly used forms of radiation therapy, External Beam Radiation uses a linear accelerator to direct radiation at the affected area.
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) - IMRT has been called the most significant breakthrough in radiation treatments in the past 30 years; it allows for higher radiation doses while sparing more healthy tissue than traditional methods.
- TomoTherapy HI-ART (Highly Integrated Adaptive Radiotherapy - helps radiation oncologist target small, hard-to-find tumors.
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with drugs that can destroy secondary bone cancer by impeding its growth. Fractionated Dose Chemotherapy differs from conventional therapy in that the normal dose is fractionated, or spread into smaller amounts, and administered over three to five days. This allows the drug to work against the cancer for a longer period while reducing some of the side effects.
Biotherapy/Immunotherapy: Biotherapy uses your body's immune system to help treat secondary bone cancer and lessen some of the side effects of other treatment methods. This method may be used to boost both the natural offensive and defensive power of your immune system, and your body's abilities to repair itself and promote healthy cell growth.
We also offer a number of complementary and alternative therapies that work in conjunction with traditional therapies. Complementary therapies include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Nutritional Therapy: Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in secondary bone cancer treatment, so part of CTCA's treatment program involves creating an individualized plan designed to prevent malnutrition, reduce side effects, and promote overall health.
- Pain Management: Most patients with secondary bone cancer experience pain during the course of their illness; our goal with pain management is not only the relief of pain, but the resumption and maintenance of a normal quality of life.
- Spiritual Support: Recent research has suggested a strong link between spirituality and healing; our treatment plans focus on mind, body, and spirit.

A secondary bone cancer prognosis is based on the primary cancer and its response to treatment, along with the extent to which the cancer has invaded the bones. Advanced secondary bone cancer treatment is generally palliative, meaning its purpose is to reduce symptoms. Palliative secondary bone cancer treatment methods include radiotherapy to kill cancer cells and reduce pain, and the prescription of biphosphonates to help control blood calcium levels.

Upon admittance to Cancer Treatment Centers of America, your treatment team will rally around you, working with you and your family to create a holistic treatment plan based on your unique needs and your secondary bone cancer diagnosis, staging, and prognosis. All treatments will take place under one roof in a caring, nurturing environment unlike that found at most other medical care centers. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with secondary bone cancer and would like more information about CTCA's holistic, individualized treatment plans, please contact our Oncology Information Specialists via chat, email or phone at 800-615-3055. We're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for consultation.

Additional Cancer Information and Resources

Don't miss this additional bone cancer information. Click on the links to the right to learn more about bone cancer or call 1-800-615-3055 to discuss your treatment options with one of our Oncology Information Specialists.