Bone Tumour Treatment | Apollo Cancer Centres

Surgery
Radiation
Medical Oncology

Surgery is a very important part of treatment and is used to remove the tumor from the bone. The type of surgery planned depends on several factors, including the age of the patient, occupation and location of tumor.
Limb-sparing surgery- Previously, amputation (removal of the limb) was the only option, but now, the treatment of choice is Limb-sparing surgery, i.e. removal of just the affected part of the bone and replacing it with either.

Endoprosthesis - a specially designed metal fitting
Autograft - a bone taken from another part of the body.

If cancer affects a bone in or near a joint, the whole joint can often be replaced with an artificial one. While limb-sparing surgery is available, depending on the extent of damage to the bone from cancer, amputation of the limb might be necessary in cases where the limb is not salvageable.
Rehabilitation usually follows limb-sparing surgery to restore functional use of the preserved limb.

Surgery if the bone cancer has spread to the lungs

Metastasectomy - In some patients, bone cancer spreads to the lungs. In selected patients, metastasectomy may be done to remove the affected part of the lung. Recent advances in metastasectomy include keyhole surgeries like Video Assisted Thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), and robot assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS). These surgeries allow for reduced hospital stay and reduced postoperative morbidities.

Radiation therapy uses high-powered beams of energy to kill cancer cells. In the case of bone tumors, radiation therapy may be combined with chemotherapy.
During radiation therapy, the patient lies on a table while a linear accelerator moves around the patient and aims the energy beams at precise points on the body.
Radiation therapy may also be used in people with bone cancer that can′t be removed with surgery. It may also be used after surgery to kill any cancer cells that may be left behind. For people with advanced bone cancer, radiation therapy may help control signs and symptoms, such as pain.

Chemotherapy is an integral part of bone cancer treatment.
Chemotherapy is generally administered prior to surgery or definitive radiation therapy. When given before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy), it can shrink the tumor and make it easier to remove and also reduce symptoms such as pain and reduce the possibility of metastases.