Signs & Symptoms of Bone Cancer in the Hip

According to the National Cancer Institute, bone cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1 percent of all cancers, and only about 2,300 new cases are reported in the U.S. each year. The symptoms of bone cancer in the hip are often symptoms of other benign bone tumors and hip problems, but you should see a doctor if you experience any symptoms that could point to bone cancer. Bone cancer symptoms typically come on very gradually, so pay close attention to your hip health if you have or suspect bone cancer.

Pain

• Pain is the most common symptom of bone cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Bone cancer patients whose cancer is located in the hip or pelvic area may experience consistent pain or intermittent pain, often when doing certain activities that engage the hips, such as walking long distances, bending and turning. No particular type of pain is associated with bone cancer patients, and some patients diagnosed with bone cancer report feeling no pain at all.

Swelling and Lumps

• Swelling and lumps on the hip or upper thigh sometimes signal bone cancer. Swelling is often accompanied by pain, and some bone cancer patients can feel the lumps on their hip bones through the skin, either while standing or sitting normally or when twisting or bending into a position that pushes the hip bone against the skin.

Weak Bones

• Cancer cells that invade the hip bones can weaken the bones in the pelvic area. In some cases, the bones are so weak that they may fracture or break. While severe falls and injuries often result in hip fractures or breaks, especially in elderly people, cancerous hip bones may fracture or break from even a minor fall or injury.

Other Symptoms

• Other symptoms of bone cancer include feeling more fatigued or tired than usual and losing weight unexpectedly, according to the Mayo Clinic. These symptoms can point to several other medical conditions as well, so it is important to seek a doctor's opinion.