Pain that gets worse at night could be a symptom of this rare cancer (Image: Getty)
Health experts have warned that a pain that gets “worse at night” could be a red flag sign of a rare but potentially deadly cancer. You might also experience pain while resting – something that should prompt you to seek help.
According to , these could be telltale signs of bone cancer. As the name suggests bone cancer, which is also known as bone sarcoma, is a cancer that starts in the bones.
It is fairly uncommon in the UK, with around 600 new cases diagnosed each year. What is more common is secondary bone cancer – which is when the disease spreads to the bones from another part of the body.
Cancer Research UK says: “The symptoms of bone cancer can vary depending on the size of the cancer and where it is in the body.” Pain is one of the most common signs of the disease.
The charity details: “You might have pain or tenderness most of the time, even when you’re resting. The pain is often worse in bed at night.
This pain won’t go away with normal painkillers (Image: Getty)
“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 adds that pain caused by bone cancer cannot be helped through the use of painkillers. On its website it says: “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.”
It also warns that some people may only experience an isolated symptom. “Symptoms may be mild at first and slowly get worse, or they may start suddenly,” it says.
“They also vary for every person. Some people may have just one symptom, whereas someone else may have more.”
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However, due to the rarity of the disease, it is more likely that your symptoms are caused by something else. But you should still speak to your GP to be sure.
Cancer Research UK comments: “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:
- A lump or swelling, which may be seen or felt if the tumour is near the skin’s surface
- Problems moving, a limp, stiff limbs or joints, unable to move as normal
- Tenderness over the bone or joint
- A broken bone caused by weakening of bone due to a tumour without having had a fall or accident
- Feeling tired or weary
- Pain with tingling and numbness (pins and needles)
- Bruising easily
- Weight loss and loss of appetite
- Sweats at night
- High temperature (fever)
- Feeling breathless
In the UK, the disease is most common among people aged 85 to 89.