Surgical Treatment Approach

Surgical treatment for bone cancer that has not spread involves removing the cancerous tissue and a small portion of healthy bone tissue surrounding it. Some tumours may require chemotherapy or radiation therapy in addition to surgical treatment.

Radiation Therapy Treatment Approach

This treatment uses a specific type of high energy beams to shrink tumours or eliminate cancer cells. Radiation therapy works by damaging a cancer cell’s DNA, making it unable to multiply. Although it can damage nearby healthy cells, cancer cells are highly sensitive to radiation and typically die when exposed to radiation. Healthy cells that are damaged during the treatment are more resilient and are often able to fully recover.

Chemotherapy Treatment Approach

Chemotherapy is an important part of the treatment for most osteosarcomas, spindle cell sarcomas and Ewing’s sarcomas. It is usually given before performing surgery or radiotherapy. If given before surgery, it can shrink the tumour and make it easier to remove. This also reduces symptoms such as pain and minimizes the possibility of the cancer spreading to other parts of the body. If you have an osteosarcoma or Ewing’s sarcoma, you will also have chemotherapy after surgery or radiotherapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells that may have spread to other parts of the body.