Can Arthritis Turn Into Bone Cancer?

Bone cancer is most common among patients who feel inflammation, fatigue in muscles, and weakness in bones. Ironically, these symptoms are also common in arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis. 

Can Arthritis turn into bone cancer? Yes! However, there are a lot of treatments that can help in controlling it. But in worst-case scenarios, if it becomes uncontrollable and untreatable, this might lead to cancer. 

Here is a related article that might interest you on Can Viral Arthritis Be Cured?

Let’s find out what are some of the standard connections between Bone cancer and Arthritis:

Common Symptoms Between Bone Cancer And Arthritis – Can Arthritis Turn Into Bone Cancer?

When an arthritis patient suffers from enlargement of bones or clubbing of fingers, large-scale inflammation, osteoporosis, and thickening of scale, then this might lead to bone cancer. The most prevalent form that might lead to bone cancer is Rheumatoid Arthritis. 

Research has shown that inflammation-fighting medications might also be a leading cause that would trigger cancer. Inflammation is one of the primary symptoms viewed as a common link between cancer and arthritis. 

Another symptom that can be viewed is swollen lymph glands, fever, or the appearance of rashes with itching around the skin. The patient might experience unusual weight loss, fatigue, or bleeding.

Rheumatoid Arthritis And Bone Cancer

Many studies have shown that people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis develop a blood cancer commonly known as Lymphoma. The patients were suffering from this experience of chronic inflammation in their immune systems. It is due to Lymphocytes such as B cells and T cells that produce inflammatory sensations that can prove to be cancerous. 

Vigorous activity in both B and T cells of the lymphocytes might put the patient at risk of developing a malignant form of cancer. However, the average ratio of Lymphoma is quite rare.

Moreover, patients who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis are treated with drugs that increase immunity. Medications such as cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, and methotrexate have tendencies that might cause bone cancer. 

Also, many researchers believe that drugs nearly play a very slight role in provoking Lymphoma. The leading cause of the disease is probably because of the increased activity in the white blood cells. When a bacteria or virus, white blood cells interact and behave differently, the common virus that is viewed is the Epstein-Barr virus. 

Usually, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Furthermore, patients with moderate inflammation rarely develop more symptoms of Lymphoma in comparison to those who were in the initial stage of rheumatoid arthritis. 

However, not much can be said with assurance because this is still under study. The causes of Lymphoma are still under consideration, and researchers are trying to find whether it is a drug-related disease or a disease-related condition. 

Things You Should Keep In Mind: 

• Age might be a slight risk factor that aids in Lymphoma. Elderly people who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis might have a chance of getting it because of their declining age. However, there is no solid evidence that can prove this theory.
• Moreover, Lymphoma is not linked to genetics. If someone in your family has Lymphoma, it doesn’t put you at risk of getting it.
• If you think that your rheumatoid arthritis might lead you to develop bone cancer, it is best to consult your doctor.
• If the doctor diagnoses some traces of developing Lymphoma, he would further recommend you go for a cancer screening test like a colonoscopy or Pap smear.
• There are multiple cases in which the patient might feel that he is suffering from cancer due to the similarities of symptoms between arthritis and cancer. However, this might not be the case. The pain or swelling that he might have been experiencing can also be due to osteoporosis, fractures, or tumors.
• Fractures are caused because cancerous cells weaken or soften the cartilage or the bone, thus making the bones breakable.
• Swelling is usually seen in the region of the neck because lumps are formed into the bones or at the back of the throat, which makes swallowing or eating quite tricky. The patient might feel shortness of breath.
• Though arthritis is specifically a bond disease, if it turns out to be cancerous, then there are many chances that it spreads to other organs.
• Suppose the patient is experiencing osteoarthritis in which the soft slipper tissue covering the bone is damaged. Bone cartilage can easily cause pain or swelling exercise or losing some fat can help release pain.
• Tobacco and nicotine consumption can have hazardous effects on your bones. They can trigger joint and back pain and might put you at risk of developing arthritis.
• A surgery or extensive medical treatment might be required to fix shapeless bones, significantly when they are enlarged. Large bones can affect your skull, spine, and brain. You might lose your hearing as well.
• Sometimes external factors might not be the reason for developing Arthritis or bone cancer; it might have been in you because of your genes.

Also, make sure to check out my post on the Best 7 Arthritis Pain Relief Tablets In 2022.

Conclusion

Normal arthritis is easy to cure with the help of medication and consultation with a doctor. That is why it is very important to consult your doctor at the very onset of arthritis. 

If this is left untreated then there is a definite chance of it turning into bone cancer. At the end of the day, caution is a must. And you must have a regular check-up every 3 months, especially after the age of 40 to 50.