Musculoskeletal Cancer Treatment on the Gulf Coast

Musculoskeletal cancer is any cancer that forms in the bones or muscles of the body. Even though these cancers are rare, they will still affect tens of thousands of Americans per year. Infirmary Cancer Care exists to provide individuals with excellent and professional medical care to ensure that their bone or muscle cancer is cared for with a personalized and aggressive treatment plan. Focused on ridding your body of bone and muscle cancer and dedication to your life, Infirmary Cancer Care exists to provide Mobile and Gulf Coast cancer patients the best possible options for cancer treatments.

If you are suffering from musculoskeletal cancer, contact us today.

Symptoms & Risks

Musculoskeletal cancers are cancers that affect the bone and muscle structures of your body. These types of cancers include:

• Bone sarcoma: These types of cancers begin in the bone itself and usually manifest themselves as osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma or chondrosarcoma.
• Rhabdomyosarcoma: This cancer begins in the muscles themselves and is most common in children with many cases beginning before birth.
• Soft tissue sarcoma: This type of cancer occurs most often in such soft tissues as fat, nerves, muscle, deep skin tissue, and blood vessels.
• Bone metastasis: This occurs when cancer that began in another part of your body spreads to the skeletal or muscular systems.

The risks for musculoskeletal cancer are varied. Bone cancer usually occurs most often among either teenagers or the elderly. Also, men, African Americans, Caucasians, and individuals who have been exposed to radiation are at a higher risk. Ewing sarcoma is most common among younger people, men and Caucasians. Soft tissue sarcoma is more likely to develop in those with a family history of those who have either had radiation exposure or a weakened lymph system. While there is no specific way to prevent musculoskeletal cancers, healthy habits and regular screenings can ensure cancer is caught before it becomes too serious.

The symptoms for musculoskeletal cancers usually manifest themselves early. Ewing sarcoma is usually marked by bone fractures, swelling, lumps, unexplained fevers and pain. Rhabdomyosarcoma is marked by nosebleeds, ear pain, painful urination, vision problems, swallowing problems or congestion. More general symptoms for musculoskeletal cancers include a growing lump, worsening stomach pain, bloody or black stools.

Diagnosis & Staging

Unlike many cancers, most bone and muscle cancers often exhibit symptoms immediately. They can be diagnosed through physical exams, imaging, biopsies and blood tests. Rhabdomyosarcoma is the exception with symptoms arising only after the disease has advanced. This is why it is important to get regular screenings. If your doctor does diagnose a muscle or skeletal cancer, they will then evaluate your overall condition to stage the cancer. This is the first step in developing a treatment plan. More information on staging these types of cancers can be found here courtesy of the American Cancer Society.

Treatment Options

The treatment options for musculoskeletal cancer vary. However, depending on what your doctor recommends for your situation it may involve a mixture of surgery and or immunotherapy. Surgery is usually designed to remove the cancer or tumor. Depending on how advanced the cancer is this can involve limb salvage surgery or amputation of the affected appendage. Your doctor will explain the best steps for your situation and whether amputation or more limited surgery is recommended. The benefit of this type of treatment is that it is usually possible to eliminate cancer. Immunotherapy is designed to activate the patient’s immune system so that it recognizes and kills cancer. This is usually done through the intravenous infusion of immunotherapy drugs two or three times a month. This also has the added benefit of not requiring a more invasive treatment such as cancer.

Whatever treatment you need, Infirmary Cancer Care can help you beat musculoskeletal cancer. Call (251) 435-2273 to learn more.