Bone Tumor Symptoms
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Weakened Bones
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Weakening bones are major sign of bone tumors. The bones may become increasingly brittle and weakened as the tumor grows inside or around it. When sufficiently weakened, the bone may fracture or break if stress is placed on it. In fact, the bone may be so brittle that a fall or misstep may cause serious injury.
Joint Swelling/Tenderness
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Bone tumors can cause joints to swell and become increasingly tender. Some people may mistake this symptom as a sign of arthritis. As the tumor grows, more stress is placed on the joints, which can cause increasing pain and tenderness at the site. If left unchecked, the joints can be greatly damaged.
Pain
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Bone pain is another primary symptom of a bone tumor. The bone pain can be severe; some patients report that it feels like a toothache in their bones. The National Library of Medicine reports that bone pain can worsen at night. Pain can also come after one of the weakened bones has become so weak that it breaks or fractures under the smallest stress. A sudden break can cause a severe amount of pain, putting you at risk for shock.
Weight Loss
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Weight loss can also be a symptom of bone tumors. It most commonly occurs in patients who have a malignant tumor, and it can be severe if the tumor is cancerous. Weight loss plus a loss of nutrients in the body can cause you to become increasingly weak and increase the risk of bone breakage.
Anemia
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Anemia is usually a symptom of a cancerous tumor. As bone tumors grow and worsen they can get into your bone marrow. Your body then may have difficulty making red blood cells, which can cause severe anemia. Anemia can be diagnosed with a blood test. It can cause fatigue and dizziness, which compounds the health concerns for a patient with a bone tumor. Fatigue and dizziness can lead to a serious fall, which may result in a broken bone.
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