Options For Bone Cancer Treatment

Amputation

A bone cancer patient may need to have an amputation of the affected limb to remove all of the cancerous cells in the body successfully. Some individuals who do not actually require amputation may still choose to have one due to the cons of limb-sparing surgery. If the limb will be painful, nonfunctional, or deformed as a result of tumor resection, they may elect to have an amputation. Amputation is a procedure where all or part of a limb is completely removed. The part of the limb that contains bone cancer, a small section of healthy tissue above it, and all tissues below the tumor are removed. This type of surgery is performed by surgeons who carefully plan it out so they can form a cuff of muscle and skin tissue around the free end of the bone. The purpose of this cuff is to allow a prosthesis to be fitted to the amputated bone. Physical therapy and rehabilitation are required for the individual to learn how to use the artificial limb.