Cancer Bone

Bone cancers are rare forms of cancer that can affect any bone in the body. Two types of bone cancer are multiple myeloma and bone sarcomas. Bone cancers can also happen when tumors that start in other organs such as breasts lung and prostate metastasize (spread) to the bone. Multiple myeloma is the most common type of bone cancer. The two most common bone sarcomas are osteosarcoma which develops in new tissue in growing bones and chondrosarcoma which develops in cartilage. Osteosarcoma tends to occur more frequently in children and adolescents while chondrosarcoma occurs more often in adults.

Signs and Symptoms

Bone cancer is accompanied by the following signs and symptoms.

• Pain
• Swelling or tenderness of the joints
• Fractures
• Fatigue fever weight loss anemia

Who's Most At Risk?

People with the following conditions or characteristics may be at risk for developing multiple myeloma.

• Radiation exposure
• Exposure to petroleum products benzene herbicides insecticides
• Genetic factors
• Over 68 years of age
• Blacks twice as often as whites

People with the following conditions or characteristics may be at risk for developing osteosarcoma.

• Benign tumors and other bone diseases
• Radiation exposure
• Genetic factors
• Children adolescents
• Males more than females

Your risk for developing chondrosarcoma is higher if you are between the ages of 40 and 60.

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

If you are experiencing symptoms associated with bone cancer you should see your health care provider. Keep in mind that many of the same symptoms are associated with other less serious health conditions. In addition to taking a personal and family medical history your provider may suggest a blood test to measure the level of alkaline phosphate an enzyme that increases when a tumor causes production of abnormal bone tissue. X rays and other imaging procedures can show the location size and shape of a bone tumor. Not all tumors are cancer. A biopsy—the removal of a sample of tissue from the bone tumor—will reveal whether cancer is present.

Treatment Options

Treatment Plan

The treatment plan depends on the type size location and stage of the cancer as well as the patient's age and general health.

Drug Therapies

Your provider may prescribe the following therapies.

• For multiple myeloma: chemotherapy drugs radiation treatment medication for pain relief
• For osteosarcoma: cytotoxic drugs

Surgical and Other Procedures

With multiple myeloma a bone marrow transplant is sometimes performed. With bone sarcomas surgery is often the main treatment. In most cases chemotherapy has made limb-sparing surgery possible and amputation unnecessary.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

A comprehensive treatment plan for bone cancer may include a range of complementary and alternative therapies.

Nutrition

Eat organically-raised foods and foods that support detoxification immunity and are high in antioxidants: beets carrots artichokes yams onions garlic yellow and orange vegetables shiitake mushrooms sea vegetables green tea filtered water dark leafy greens and whole grains. Avoid refined foods sugar alcohol caffeine and saturated fats (animal products). Eliminate organ meats and processed meats.

Potentially beneficial nutrient supplements include the following.

• Vitamin C (1 000 mg four times per day) vitamin E (400 IU two times per day) beta carotene (50 000 IU once or twice a day) coenzyme Q10 (100 mg three times per day) and zinc (30 mg per day). Coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine (600 mg three times per day) may protect the heart from the effects of chemotherapy.
• Selenium (200 mcg twice per day) and glutathione (500 mg twice per day) may minimize the side effects of chemotherapy.
• Magnesium (200 mg two to three times per day) vitamin D (400 IU per day) vitamin K (5 mg per day) and boron (3 to 5 mg per day) can help normal bone growth.
• Bromelain (250 to 500 mg between meals) may enhance chemotherapy.
• Glutamine (3 to 10 g per day) can be helpful after a bone marrow transplant.
• N-acetylcysteine (200 mg three times a day) may minimize the side effects of chemotherapy.

Herbs

Herbal remedies may offer relief from symptoms. Herbs are generally available as dried extracts (pills capsules or tablets) teas or tinctures (alcohol extraction unless otherwise noted). Dose for teas is 1 heaping tsp. per cup of water steeped for 10 minutes (roots need 20 minutes).

• Turmeric (Curcuma longa): 500 mg four times a day may enhance certain chemotherapies.
• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba): 120 mg standardized extract twice a day may reduce toxic effects of certain chemotherapies.

Include one or more of the following formulas to support your immune system.

• Scudder's Alterative Compound: Combine equal parts of corydalis tubers (Corydalis yanhusuo) black tag alder (Alnus serrulata) mayapple root (Podophyllum peltatum) figwort (Scrophularia nodosa) and yellowdock (Rumex crispus). Take 30 to 40 drops tincture three to four times per day for six months.
• Essiac: sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella) burdock root (Arctium lappa) slippery elm inner bark (Ulmus fulva) and turkey rhubarb (Rheum palmatum). Another version Flor-Essence includes additional herbs such as watercress (Nasturtium officinale). Drink one cup of tea twice a day or take 2 tbs. formula twice a day for six months
• Combine equal parts of coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia) poke root (Phytolacca americana) red clover (Trifolium pratense) plantain (Plantago lanceolata) gotu kola (Centella asiatica) and yellowdock (Rumex crispus). Take 30 to 60 drops tincture three times per day or drink three to four cups tea daily for up to six weeks at a time
• Combine equal parts of astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) schizandra berry (Schizandra chinensis) licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) lomatium root (Lomatium dissectum) barberry (Berberis vulgaris) and queen's delight (Stillingia sylvatica). Take 30 drops tincture twice a day for four to six months.

Homeopathy

Some of the most common remedies include arnica bryonia eupatorium and symphytum. Acute dose is three to five pellets of 12X to 30C every one to four hours until symptoms are relieved.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture may support the immune system increase your overall sense of well-being and stamina and minimize side effects from conventional therapies.

Prognosis/Possible Complications

With multiple myeloma patients generally live for 15 months to five years. Complications may include heart attack lung disease diabetes and stroke. With bone sarcomas 60 to 70 percent of patients experience long-term survival. Potential complications include those arising from surgery and possible spread of the cancer to the lungs.

Following Up

Your health care provider will want to see you regularly to check for complications and to make sure the cancer has not returned.

Supporting Research

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Fauci AS Braunwald E Isselbacher KJ et al eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 14^th ed. New York NY: McGraw-Hill; 1998.

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Morrison R. Desktop Guide to Keynotes and Confirmatory Symptoms. Albany Calif: Hahnemann Clinic Publishing; 1993.

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Ziegler TR Bye RL Persinger RL Young LS Antin JH Wilmore DW. Effects of glutamine supplementation on circulating lymphocytes after bone marrow transplantation: a pilot study. Am J Med Sci. 1998; 315(1):4-10.

Copyright © 2000 Integrative Medicine Communications

The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application use or misuse of any of the information contained herein including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability negligence or otherwise. No warranty expressed or implied is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor pharmacist nurse or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage precautions warnings interactions and contraindications before administering any drug herb or supplement discussed herein.