What are the symptoms of bone tumors?

Bone tumors, whether benign or malignant, can present symptoms that vary depending on the type, location, and size of the tumor. Several common symptoms of bone tumors include:

1. Pain: Pain is the most common symptom of bone tumors, especially in cases of malignant bone tumors. The pain is often persistent, gradually worsens over time, and tends to be particularly severe at night, thereby affecting the patient's sleep quality.

2. Swelling or mass: A lump, either hard or soft and sometimes accompanied by pain, may be felt on or near the surface of a bone.

3. Functional impairment: If the tumor is located near a joint or compresses nerves, it may cause restricted joint movement or muscle weakness.

4. Fractures: Even minor trauma can lead to pathological fractures, as the tumor weakens the structural integrity of the bone.

5. Systemic symptoms: Patients with advanced malignant bone tumors may develop systemic symptoms such as weight loss, anemia, and cachexia. These are the combined results of tumor-induced wasting, toxin stimulation, and the physical distress caused by pain.

6. Neurological symptoms: If the tumor compresses the spinal cord or nerve roots, it may cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the limbs.