It is important for individuals to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of serious diseases in order to seek treatment early and in order to have the best chance of curing the disease. Washington residents may be interested in learning about the signs and symptoms of bone cancer in order to seek care as soon as possible. When patients are familiar with some of these symptoms, they can work closely with their doctor and potentially prevent a misdiagnosis.
The most common symptom of bone cancer is pain in the affected bone. The pain may at first happen intermittently. The pain may be worse when the bone is used. For example, a person may have pain in the bones of their leg as they walk. The pain will become more constant as the cancer grows and then will be there at all times.
Some individuals who have bone cancer notice swelling in the area where they experience pain. They may feel a lump or mass if the tumor is located close to the skin. If a person develops cancer in the bones of their neck, they may have a lump in the back of their throat that can make it difficult for them to breathe or swallow.
Fractures are also a common sign of bone cancer. The cancer will weaken the bones. Individuals who have experienced this symptom often say that they noticed the bone was sore for a few months, and then they had sudden severe pain in it because of a fracture.
Working closely with a medical professional is the best way to identify bone cancer early. Some individuals have had the unfortunate experience of working with medical professionals who misdiagnosed their bone cancer or who were negligent. An individual who is dealing with a medical malpractice case may want to discuss their situation with an attorney. The attorney may provide information about filing a claim and the steps that would be needed to get compensation for the malpractice.
