Signs and Symptoms of Juvenile Bone Cancer

Bone cancer is a malignant tumor that ravages bone tissue. Such growths that start in the bone are known as primary bone cancer. In contrast to metastatic bone cancer in which the malignancy spreads from another part of the body to the bones, primary bone cancers are most commonly found in youths (ages 10 to 20) and comprise about 6 percent of childhood cancers.

Osteosarcoma

• A group of malignant cell tumors that produce immature bone is known as osteosarcoma, according to the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative. This cancer starts where new bone tissue is formed or at the ends of bones. Although osteosarcoma can affect any bone, it’s typically discovered in the arms, knee joints or elsewhere on the legs. Signs and symptoms include: bone pain, swelling or lumps on the bone or joint that hinders movement, and weakened bones that could lead to fractures or breaks. A child may feel feverish and tired as well as exhibit sleeplessness and weight loss. If a child suffers a playground injury, the pain will persist beyond what is considered normal. Often the bone pain is mistaken for commonplace issues such as muscle overuse or growing pains. In small children, the only sign may be a limp.

Ewing’s Sarcoma

• Ewing's sarcoma is a family that tumors that displays some similar characteristics to osteosarcoma. It shows up during the early teenage years and is usually discovered in the middle of long bones, i.e., pelvis, ribs, shoulder blades, upper arms and upper legs. A typical symptom is pain at the site of the tumor, which may appear as a swelling or lump. The affected child may be feverish.

Adamantinoma

• According to the Children's Hospital Boston, adamantinoma is a rare cancer that occurs in males (ages 10 to 30) who have reached skeletal maturity. The slow-growing tumor is typically discovered in the shin or jaw bone. In one-fifth of the cases, adamantinoma spreads to other areas in the body, particularly the lungs. Symptoms observed in children are: pain and swelling in the area of the tumor, pain associated with an activity, and a limp or decreased movement of the affected body part.

Chordoma

• A slow-growing, rare tumor that’s found at the base of the skull or the spine (tailbone), chordoma usually strikes individuals between the ages of 40 and 70. However, this cancer has been discovered in children, and can grow or spread to other parts of the body. Symptoms include: vision issues and headaches, limb pain with weakness and numbness, and obstruction in the bladder and bowels.

Other Bone Tumors

• Most tumors found on the bones are not malignant. These benign growths do not spread to other sites in the body and are usually not life-threatening. In these cases, a doctor can determine the type of tumor by doing a simple biopsy, i.e., investigating a tiny piece of the tumor under a microscope.