Today, we’ll continue our discussion of bone cancer, a rare and incredibly serious form of the disease that typically originates within the structure of the bones — typically the arms and legs– and affects both adult and pediatric patient populations.

Specifically, in keeping with our objective of providing people with as much information as possible about their condition or the condition of a loved one, we’ll examine some of the risk factors associated with the development of this condition.

When it comes to what actually causes bone cancer, the unfortunate reality is that, much like most other types of cancer, medical professionals simply don’t have a definitive answer. That being said, however, they have at least been able to identify certain risk factors that may make a person more predisposed to the development of bone cancer.

• Radiation therapy: One of the primary treatments for any type of cancer is radiation therapy, which has proven to be incredibly effective in certain cases. However, medical professionals have found that these large radiation doses can actually elevate the risk of development of bone cancer further down the road.
• Paget’s bone disease: In general, Paget’s bone disease is a disruption in the bone recycling process, whereby new bone tissue gradually supplants old bone tissue. This, in turn, can result in everything from fractures and misshapen bones to the onset of arthritis. Unfortunately, this condition, which is common in older adults, has been linked to an increased risk of bone cancer.
• Genetic conditions: Certain genetic conditions, meaning those passed down to family members, can increase the likelihood of developing bone cancer. For example, hereditary retinoblastoma, a type of eye cancer, has actually linked to the subsequent development of bone cancer.

In our next post, we’ll discuss some of the more common types of bone cancer. In the meantime, remember that time is of the essence when it comes to cancer and that’s precisely why physicians must do everything in their power to ensure that the necessary diagnostic tests are run as soon as possible.