Tuesday, February 17, 2009

About The Life Span For Cancer In The Bone

About the Life Span for Cancer in the Bone


Bone cancer is one of the more rare forms of cancer, resulting in only about 2,300 new cases a year. If detected early and treated properly, chances of survival are good through the first five years.


Survival


Cancer survival is measured in five-year intervals. Nearly 70 percent of bone cancer patients can expect to reach that five-year mark and beyond, provided the cancer stays localized in the bone and does not spread.


Origin


Patients affected by secondary bone cancer, which indicates the cancer has spread to the bone from elsewhere in the body, may have as little as a few weeks of life left, although in some cases that may be as much as a few months.


Severity


Cancer spreads in stages of severity. A patient with bone cancer in stage three or four, for instance, may not have more than a few months to live, while the earlier stages provide for chance for treatment and survival.


Treatment


Through various treatments, bone cancer can be fought in an effort to extend life. Many options exist, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. With effective treatment, almost three-quarters of affected patients will make it through five years or more.


Types


The type of bone cancer found has a big impact on life expectancy. For instance, those who are diagnosed with Osteosarcoma have an average life expectancy of two to five years, whereas Chondrosarcoma victims may only live from six months to a year.







Tags: bone cancer, five years, About Life, About Life Span, Cancer Bone