Orthopedic Oncologist and Surgeon, Asian Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Institute

Asian Hospital and Medical Center

Some illnesses can be tricky — we only become aware when they cause severe physical discomfort that disrupts our daily routine. Bone sarcoma, more commonly known as bone cancer, is one of these. It’s not obvious until it begins to cause pain.

Sarcoma is a group of cancers or malignant tumors that start in the bones or soft tissues (e.g., muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons, and the lining of the joints). Usually, when sarcoma occurs in soft tissues, a noticeable lump forms. These lumps grow, but are often painless in the early stages. However, if they grow in the bones, they only manifest as pain—no visible lumps or growths you can feel.

Bone cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1% of adult and 3 to 5% of pediatric cancer cases worldwide. It should not be confused with metastasis, though. Bone sarcoma starts in the bones and is categorized as a primary cancer. Metastasis is considered a secondary cancer, meaning it started in another part of the body (e.g., breast, lungs, stomach) but has spread to the bones.

Bone sarcoma can be classified as either osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing tumor, or chordoma. Osteosarcoma, the most common type, usually starts around the knee. It is more frequently observed in males, typically between the ages of 10 and 20. Meanwhile, chondrosarcoma can happen anywhere in the body where there’s cartilage but often develops in the pelvis, around the shoulder, and around the hip. The risk of developing the disease increases with age, and it rarely occurs in individuals below 20 years old.

Even if it manifests as pain, it’s easy for patients to dismiss discomfort when it is not excruciating—attributing it to aging or overexertion. As such, bone cancer can be left undetected and, when it progresses, the bones where the tumor occurs weaken. Simple movements like standing up or lifting can put pressure on the affected bone, causing it to break. This is often the time that patients seek our help because the symptoms are more apparent or inexplicable—no obvious reason for fracture.

In the unfortunate event that bone sarcoma is confirmed, we always tell our patients that there is hope. There are various treatment options that can help control and manage bone cancer, depending on the type, its location, the staging, and the patient's age, lifestyle, and health condition. Intervention can involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or targeted therapy. It could be a single-treatment approach or a combination of these.

At the Musculoskeletal Tumor Center of the Asian Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Institute in Asian Hospital and Medical Center, we provide specialized care for patients with bone sarcoma, tailored to their needs. Our team is multidisciplinary, composed of surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, rehabilitation specialists, and nutritionists, among others. We present the tailor-fit treatment and care plan and explain the processes and the possible side effects to help set expectations so the patients and their families will arrive at a well-informed decision. Our individualized treatment plan does not only focus on tumor control, but our holistic approach to healing also means ensuring that we help our patients to be in the best possible shape—physically and even mentally. The center provides physical therapy in aid of recovery, movement restoration, and functional independence, as well as pain management support. Apart from these, we also provide mental wellness counselling to both the patients and their families.

For more information about the Musculoskeletal Tumor Center of Asian Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Institute, contact the Asian Hospital and Medical Center hotline at 8-771-9000 local 5913 or send us an email at [email protected] for inquiries. Follow social media pages for up-to-date information at //AsianHospitalPH.