1.What are bones made of and how do they function?

Mature bones are made up of three types of tissue: compact tissue (the hard outer portion of most bones); cancellous tissue (spongy tissue inside the bones that contains bone marrow, which makes blood cells); and subchondral tissue (smooth bone tissue of the joints). A layer of cartilage covers subchondral tissue to cushion the movement of joints.

Bones support and protect internal organs, act as levers and braces for muscles to produce movement, and produce and store blood cells in the bone marrow.

2. Are all bone tumors cancerous?

Bone tumors may be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign bone tumors are more common than malignant ones. Both types may grow and compress healthy bone tissue and absorb or replace it with abnormal tissue. However, benign tumors do not spread and are rarely life-threatening.

Cancer that arises in the bone (primary bone cancer) is not the same disease as cancer that spreads to the bone from another part of the body (secondary bone cancer). Primary bone cancer is rare, with approximately 2,500 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States. More commonly, bones are the site of tumors that result from the spread (metastasis) of cancer from another organ, such as the breasts, lungs, and prostate.

Cancer rarely originates in the bone; instead, cancer from another area of the body sometimes metastasizes, or spreads, to a bone. For this reason, and because bone cancer is difficult to detect early, people who have had another type of cancer are routinely screened for bone cancer. The only type of bone cancer that actually begins in the bone is osteosarcoma, an uncommon primary bone cancer that has the same symptoms as secondary bone cancer. Multiple myeloma, the most common form of primary bone cancer, usually affects older people. It attacks the tissues that create immune-system components called B cells, which in turn create antibodies that fight disease. The most likely cause of this disease is chronic over stimulation of the B cells. These cells are activated by petroleum products and by chemicals used in farming, leatherworking, and woodworking. 

Since multiple myeloma depletes the body's supply of B cells, one of the main problems in managing the disease is reduced resistance to infection. People with multiple myeloma are particularly susceptible to infections in the urinary tract, lungs, and sinuses. 

Signs and Symptoms 

A lump or hard mass on the surface of a bone 

Pain in the affected area 

Weakening or fractures of the affected bone 

Appetite or weight loss 

Conventional Medical Treatment 

If you feel a lump on a bone, or a bone fractures spontaneously, visit your physician immediately. While your doctor may take X-rays to help produce a diagnosis, a bone biopsy usually is required to confirm the presence of malignant cells. If the cancer is limited to a small area of bone, a surgeon may be able to remove only the cancerous masses. More severe cases, however, often require amputation of all or a portion of a limb. After surgery, chemotherapy or radiation is usually required. 

Complementary and Alternative Treatments 

A good healthy diet high in unprocessed grains and vegetables is important also to support the healing of damaged or weakened bones as is weight bearing exercise. 

I recommend that anyone serious about healing damaged or weakened bones include oats and a ground combination of millet and linseed in their breakfast. Also that they work at a regular program of weight bearing exercises appropriate to their age, strength and fitness level. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine 

Acupuncture -  Bone cancer can be extremely painful; acupuncture can offer much-needed relief by releasing "feel good" endorphins and enhancing relaxation. 

Acupressure  - This therapy can be used to improve the patient's disposition and enhance feelings of well-being as well as to alleviate pain. Care must be taken when applying pressure, so as not to cause discomfort or damage fragile bones.