what are the symptoms of primary bone cancer and how is it diagnosed?

Primary bone cancer is a rare type of cancer that begins in the bones. It can affect any bone in the body, but most cases develop in the long bones of the legs or upper arms[1][5]. Here are the common symptoms of primary bone cancer:

- Persistent bone pain that gets worse over time and continues into the night

- Swelling and redness (inflammation) over a bone, which can make movement difficult if the affected bone is near a joint

- A noticeable lump over a bone

- A weak bone that breaks (fractures) more easily than normal[1][5][9][13]

It's important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, such as sports injuries, growing pains, or arthritis[13]. However, if you're experiencing persistent, unexplainable pain in your bones, it's best to talk to your doctor[5].

Diagnosis

Accurate diagnosis of primary bone cancer requires a tissue biopsy to allow histopathological assessment[2]. Imaging tests can help determine the location and size of bone tumors and whether the tumors have spread to other parts of the body[4][8]. The types of imaging tests recommended depend on your individual signs and symptoms and may include a bone scan, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), or X-ray[4]. Your doctor may recommend a procedure to remove a sample of tissue (biopsy) from the tumor for laboratory testing[4][8]. Testing can tell your doctor whether the tissue is cancerous and, if so, what type of cancer you have. It can also reveal whether the tumor cells are growing quickly or slowly[4]. 

Remember, primary bone cancer is rare, and most bone pain is not related to cancer. However, if you're concerned about your symptoms, it's always best to talk to your doctor. Early diagnosis significantly improves outcomes, so don't hesitate to seek medical advice if you're experiencing persistent pain or other affecting symptoms[5].

Citation:

[1] https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/cancer/cancer-types-in-adults/bone-cancer

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560830/

[3] https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/bone-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html

[4] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bone-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350221

[5] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bone-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20350217

[6] https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/bone-cancer/about/what-is-bone-cancer.html

[7] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17745-bone-cancer

[8] https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/bone-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/how-diagnosed.html

[9] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bone-cancer/

[10] https://www.cancer.gov/types/bone/bone-fact-sheet

[11] https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/bone-cancer-sarcoma-bone/symptoms-and-signs

[12] https://www.cancervic.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/bone_cancer/primary-bone-cancer-overview.html

[13] https://www.bcrt.org.uk/information/symptoms-of-bone-cancer/