Causes
As noted above, bone cancer is rare, and that makes it particularly difficult to study. However, the same principle applies to bone cancer as in the rest of cancers in the body. This type is also a multifactorial disease. Different factors play a role, and there is not a single cause of the illness. Instead, we can point out various risk factors. They are particular situations that increase your personal risk of bone cancer.
They are:
- Genetic disorders: If you have a mutation in specific genes, bone cancer can be more likely. Some of these genes are known as tumor suppressors. When they are not functional, they won’t fulfill their role, and a tumor will start growing.
- Family history: Osteosarcoma, one type of bone cancer, typically runs in families. So, if you had a family member with bone cancer, there’s a chance of sharing the same genes that led to the disease.
- Paget disease and other conditions: Certain conditions predispose to bone cancer, and one of the most important is Paget disease. This is a pre-cancerous condition where excessive bone tissue develops. It can turn into bone cancer in 1% of cases.
- Radiation: If you have been subject to radiation, the chance of developing bone cancer is slightly higher. This does not mean that you will get cancer after an X-ray. We’re talking about very large doses and often repeated exposure. Being close to radioactive areas and materials can also lead to bone cancer formation.
- Bone marrow transplantation: Some patients who received bone marrow transplantation develop osteosarcoma after a few years. Thus, the chance is a bit higher in these patients.
In any case, the exact cause is not known. The above are only risk factors found in the population in general. However, it is generally accepted that bone cancer results from DNA mutations, which can be inherited or acquired.