What Are the Symptoms of Bone Cancer in the Hip?

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The National Cancer Institute explains that pain and swelling in the hip are common symptoms of bone cancer. Bone cancer starts in the bone, and it destroys normal bone tissue. It also has the ability to grow and spread.

Bone cancer is not a common form of cancer. The National Cancer Institute states bone cancer accounts for less than 1 percent of all cancers in the United States. Common tests used in the diagnosis of bone cancer include bone scans, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, biopsies and blood tests. Bone cancer does not have an identified cause; however the American Cancer Society explains that risk factors of bone cancer include bone marrow transplants, having been exposed to ionizing radiation, genetics and Paget’s disease.

The National Cancer Institute explains the treatments of bone cancer depend on the location and size of the cancerous tumor. Surgery may be performed to remove the cancer, or the cancerous limb may be amputated. Surgery is the treatment that is most often used if the cancer has not spread. In addition to surgery, cryosurgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are used in treatment.