Cancer specialists have warned that pain intensifying during the night time might be a critical warning of an uncommon yet potentially fatal disease. Symptoms such as discomfort while resting also warrant immediate attention.
Experts at Cancer Research UK revealed these could signal bone cancer, also known as bone sarcoma. This type of cancer is relatively rare in the UK, with an estimated 600 new cases each year.
More often observed is secondary bone cancer, which occurs when cancer spreads to the bones from another area of the body. Cancer Research UK explains: “The symptoms of bone cancer can vary depending on the size of the cancer and where it is in the body.”
One of the foremost signs of bone cancer is pain. The organisation elaborates: “You might have pain or tenderness most of the time, even when you’re resting. The pain is often worse in bed at night. You could have pain that is felt in a different part of the body from where the tumour is. This is called referred pain.”
The Bone Cancer Research Trust further notes that the pain associated with bone cancer usually does not respond to over-the-counter pain relief. Their website mentions: “Bone pain which might be worse at night, happens all the time or stops and starts, is not helped by painkillers and may get worse over time.”
The guidance also cautions that symptoms could initially be mild and gradually worsen, or they might emerge abruptly. “Symptoms may be mild at first and slowly get worse, or they may start suddenly,” it advises. “They also vary for every person. Some people may have just one symptom, whereas someone else may have more.”
However, the rarity of the disease often means other conditions are more likely to be the culprit behind one’s symptoms. Still, consulting a GP is recommended to be safe.
Cancer Research UK remarks: “Primary bone cancer is very rare. It is much more likely that some other problem is causing your symptoms. But it’s important to get any symptoms checked out by your GP.”
Other symptoms to look out for as listed by the Bone Cancer Research Trust are:
- High temperature (fever)
- Tenderness over the bone or joint
- Feeling tired or weary
- A broken bone caused by weakening of bone due to a tumour without having had a fall or accident
- Problems moving, a limp, stiff limbs or joints, unable to move as normal
- Bruising easily
- Pain with tingling and numbness (pins and needles)
- Sweats at night
- Weight loss and loss of appetite
- Feeling breathless
- A lump or swelling, which may be seen or felt if the tumour is near the skin’s surface
In the UK, the disease is most common among people aged 85 to 89.