Bone Cancer Symptom Guide

Chronic Fatigue

Chronic fatigue is commonly associated with bone cancers because of the nature of their function. While bones have many structural functions, they are also responsible for creating new red blood cells in the bone marrow. A malignant tumor of the bone can cause a significant disruption in the healthy production of red blood cells, especially if it is located in a large bone like the femur or pelvis. When the body produces less red blood cells than it should, the condition is called anemia. Without enough red blood cells, the tissues around the body do not receive a sufficient amount of oxygen, and without adequate amounts of oxygen, the cells will struggle to carry out their designated functions and cause the patient to feel sluggish. In addition, cancerous tumors often produce substances such as tumor necrosis factor that cause an individual to feel tired. Other bone tumors can release toxic substances that inhibit healthy cells from producing chemicals in the body like calcium and potassium, which are essential for the proper function of the heart and muscles. When such chemical levels in the body are too low, patients will feel fatigued frequently.

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