Bone cancer is one of the less frequent neoplasms, but just as deadly as the rest of the malignant tumors. According to data from the American Cancer Society (ACS), it represents 0.2% of all solid tumors with 3,500 new cases each year and a mortality of 1,660 deaths in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.
In Mexico, data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) highlight that bone and joint cartilage cancer had a prevalence of 0.33% in the population aged 0 to 17 in 2016. In adults, it is not listed within the top 20 that affects the Mexican population.
Due to its rarity, little is known about this neoplasm and, therefore, there are few therapeutic options that patients may have. Therefore, Dr. Genaro Rico, head of the bone tumor service of the National Institute of Rehabilitation (INR), initiated a research protocol with granulated acexamic acid, an adjuvant in bone formation that has been used to accelerate the formation of Bone callus in fractures and which has had great results.
Osteosarcoma is the bone cancer that occurs most often in children, adolescents and young adults. This tumor usually occurs in the arm near the shoulder and in the leg, near the knee in children, adolescents and young adults (i), but it can occur in any bone, especially in older adults. It often grows rapidly and spreads to other parts of the body, including the lungs. The risk of osteosarcoma is higher among children and adolescents aged 10 to 19 years. Men are more likely than women to have osteosarcomas.
Dr. Genaro Rico explained that this type of cancer appears in bone tissues, where a lump of tissue forms, which is known as a tumor. When it is benign, the cells that form it do not spread or invade other organs; However, when it spreads and grows rapidly, it can be classified as malignant. To classify it, it is determined as primary -if it originates in the bones-, or secondary (metastatic), when the malignant cells come from organs such as lung, breast or prostate, among others.
The origin of this neoplasm, as of other types of cancer is unknown, but recent studies have shown that genetics play an important role.
Among the signs and symptoms that a patient presents, are unusual or persistent pain in the joint, difficulty in walking, changes in the color and the increase in veins and arteries, which can be confused with other conditions.
A real story
In 2016 Alejandro, 27, suffered a fall in his bathroom; Two months after this accident, the lower part of his right leg began to show a bulge that caused him pain and made the movement impossible, so he began a series of medical checkups in Ciudad Cuautémoc, Chihuahua, believing that pain was the cause of the fall, until on December 9 of that year he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer).
After this diagnosis, Alex, who is dedicated to driving a cargo truck, is subjected to cancer treatment with chemotherapies, surgery to remove the tumor and again chemotherapies; However, the medical recommendation was amputation from the knee to avoid further complications with the disease, which rejects and seeks another alternative.
After several months of exhaustive search, he arrives with Dr. Genaro Rico at the National Institute of Rehabilitation (INR), who after analyzing his case decides to clean the bone of his tibia and begin a treatment with granulated acexamic acid to regenerate the bone. This treatment is currently used to accelerate bone formation in fractures.
Granulated acexamic acid acts in the bone by stimulating the inflammatory and repair mediators of collagen and interlucins, as well as increasing blood supply to the bone repair zone. It favors the microenvironment and the migration of cells to the site of the lesion and accelerates its repair.
A year after using this treatment, Alejandro already left the crutches and has largely recovered the tibia bone from his leg, which has allowed him to return to his work and daily life.
Armstrong Laboratories of Mexico provides medications that adapt to the needs of each patient and that is why they are always “Committed to your health”.
(i) O'Donnell RJ, DuBois SG, Haas-Kogan DA. Sarcomas of Bone. In: DeVita, Hellman, and Rosenberg’s Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology.10th edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2015. Updated July 26, 2017.