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What Is the Treatment for Sternum Cancer?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Appropriate sternum cancer treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, depending on the specifics of a patient’s case. Before the patient starts treatment, medical imaging studies and testing can provide more information about the type of cancer and its characteristics. These can help with planning, as the handling of the cancer can depend on how large and aggressive it is. Testing may also assist with the development of a prognosis, based on statistics from patients with similar cancers and treatment plans.

Some sternum cancers are primary, originating in the tissue of the sternum itself. One example is chondrosarcoma, which develops in the cartilage. Others are metastases from other cancers, most commonly lung, breast, or thyroid growths. A biopsy can determine which kinds of cells are present in a patient's cancer, which can be an important factor in treatment. Removing a metastasis without addressing the originating cancer wouldn’t be very productive, so doctors want to make sure they identify all of the cancerous tissue.

Medical imaging testing may help provide information about the types and characteristics of cancer.
Medical imaging testing may help provide information about the types and characteristics of cancer.

One option for sternum cancer treatment is resection of the tumor. A surgeon can remove the growth along with healthy tissues at the margins. This may necessitate the implant of a prosthesis to retain the shape and function of the chest, depending on the size of the tumor. For some patients, this could be sufficient, although follow up visits may be recommended to confirm that the cancer is not recurring.

A biopsy may be performed to determine which kinds of cells are present in a person's sternum cancer.
A biopsy may be performed to determine which kinds of cells are present in a person's sternum cancer.

Other patients may need to take chemotherapy and radiation for sternum cancer. Radiation therapy delivers targeted doses of radiation to the chest to kill cancer cells, and chemotherapy can prevent cell division so cells don’t grow. These treatments may be recommended in the case of metastatic cancer, to ensure that all of the cancer is addressed with the treatment. In the case of a metastasis from the breast, hormone therapy may be recommended to suppress cellular growth as well.

One treatment option for sternum cancer is resection of the tumor, performed by a surgeon.
One treatment option for sternum cancer is resection of the tumor, performed by a surgeon.

During sternum cancer treatment, periodic imaging studies can evaluate the tumor’s response to therapy. These can show whether growths are shrinking or recurring, indicating the level of success. If a tumor doesn’t respond to chemotherapy and radiation, it may be necessary to try new medications. Recovery involves a series of follow up visits to continue checking the sternum for signs of recurrence so any new growth can be identified as quickly as possible. Recurrent cancers tend to be more stubborn and can be harder to treat, making it important to catch them early.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon999187

What's the best type of treatment for sternum cancer that keeps coming back?

serenesurface

I know chemotherapy and radiation is necessary in some cases, but don't they cause a lot of side effects and cause damage to the veins and joints?

SteamLouis

@donasmrs-- Your aunt's doctor is the best person to answer these questions. Your aunt might also want to get a second opinion on her condition if she feels that enough is not being done.

As far as I know, at the beginning stages of sternum cancer, treatment is hormone therapy. At later stages it's chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery.

Does you aunt have breast cancer or is the cancer localized at the sternum? If it's localized, surgery to remove the bone tumor might be a good option. But the best person to decide this is your aunt's doctor.

donasmrs

My aunt has recurrent sternum cancer. She was first diagnosed with cancer in her breast bone in 2009 and went through chemotherapy. Her cancer cleared up, only to return three years later. Now she's undergoing chemotherapy again.

If the chemotherapy doesn't work, what can be done?

What's the best type of treatment for sternum cancer that keeps coming back?

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    • Medical imaging testing may help provide information about the types and characteristics of cancer.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Medical imaging testing may help provide information about the types and characteristics of cancer.
    • A biopsy may be performed to determine which kinds of cells are present in a person's sternum cancer.
      By: Tyler Olson
      A biopsy may be performed to determine which kinds of cells are present in a person's sternum cancer.
    • One treatment option for sternum cancer is resection of the tumor, performed by a surgeon.
      By: GuerraGPhoto
      One treatment option for sternum cancer is resection of the tumor, performed by a surgeon.
    • Sternum cancer may require treatment with chemotherapy.
      By: tawesit
      Sternum cancer may require treatment with chemotherapy.
    • The bones of the sternum can be affected by cancer.
      By: reineg
      The bones of the sternum can be affected by cancer.
    • Some sternum cancers are primary, originating in the tissue of the sternum itself.
      By: Arkady Chubykin
      Some sternum cancers are primary, originating in the tissue of the sternum itself.