Get the Facts About Bone Cancer with Dr Chye Ping Ching

26 March 2025

Bone cancer is serious but often goes unnoticed. To help the public understand it better, we had  Dr Chye Ping Ching, our bone cancer specialist, explain this disease further on an exclusive Facebook Live session held recently. She is one of only 500 surgeons in the world and just 10 in Malaysia with this expertise.

What Is Bone Cancer?

There are two main types:

• Primary bone cancer: Starts in the bone itself
• Secondary bone cancer: Spreads to the bone from another part of the body.

Who Is At Risk?

Anyone can get bone cancer, but some people have a higher risk:

• Kids and Teens: Their bones grow fast, making osteosarcoma more common.
• Adults and Seniors: Cancer from the breast, prostate, or kidney can spread to the bones, leading to secondary bone cancer.

Symptoms of Bone Cancer

Watch for these warning signs:

• Pain that gets worse over time
• Swelling or a lump 

If you notice these symptoms, see a doctor. Don't rely on painkillers or home remedies.

Diagnosing Bone Cancer

Diagnosis by a consultant usually involves:

• Medical History and Exam: The doctor will check symptoms and health background
• Imaging Tests: An X-ray is done first. An MRI scan is done next for a detailed view.
• Biopsy:  A small tissue sample is taken to confirm the type of bone cancer.

How Bone Cancer Is Treated

Treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer. Common treatments include:

• Surgery: Removes the tumor and rebuilds the affected limb.
• Chemotherapy: Shrinks the tumor before surgery and destroys cancer cells after.

Real-Life Patient Stories 

Kai Wen

Kai Wen suffered from constant pain and swelling in his thumb, which he thought was from a sports injury. Even after traditional treatment, the pain did not go away, so he went to see Dr Chye. An X-ray and tests showed he had osteosarcoma in his thumb.

He had chemotherapy, then surgery to remove the diseased bone. Dr Chye used bone from his hip to rebuild his thumb.

Melanie

After an accident, Melanie booked a massage for the pain she still experienced. It was then that the massage therapist found a bump on her shoulder. When it started to throb and hurt more, she sought medical help. 

An MRI scan showed she had chondrosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. She had surgery, where the tumour was removed.

Mr Hu

Mr Hu had hip pain for months. When traditional Chinese medicine didn’t help, he visited Dr Chye.

An MRI scan found a 6 cm tumour on his hip bone, caused by secondary bone cancer. A PET-CT scan showed it came from nasopharyngeal cancer. With expert care, he recovered well.

All three patients are now cancer-free. With the right treatment, bone cancer can be beaten.

Why Expert Treatment Matters

Dr Chye stresses the importance of seeing the right specialist for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

“The doctor must recognise when something is wrong. What the mind doesn’t know, the eye does not see. The surgeon must know what to do next,” says Dr Chye.

Bone cancer is serious, but the right doctor makes all the difference. If you have symptoms or need a second opinion, book an appointment with our specialist today.

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