‘Dancing With the Stars’ Judge Len Goodman Dies, Raising Bone Cancer Awareness

On April 22, 2023, Len Goodman, the long-serving head judge of the American Broadcasting Company's "Dancing With the Stars," died at 78 from bone cancer. Valerie Macon/AFP

On April 22, famous dance judge Len Goodman died at 78 after battling bone cancer. He had been the head judge of the highly popular British TV dance competition reality show “Strictly Come Dancing” for 12 years and the American version “Dancing With the Stars” for 15 years, making him well known to audiences worldwide. His passing has sparked interest and concern about bone cancer.

The cause of bone cancer is unknown, and the early symptoms are subtle, making it difficult to prevent and detect. Therefore, if you experience bone pain, seek medical attention right away.

Understanding Bone Cancer

Bone cancer is a malignant tumor that originates in the skeletal system, including bones, cartilage, bone marrow, blood vessels, and connective tissues within the bones.

Due to its relatively low incidence and mortality rates, bone cancer is often overlooked. The symptoms can be mistaken for chronic pain caused by physical exertion or prolonged sitting, leading to delayed medical attention.

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Bone cancer can start in two ways: as primary or metastatic cancer. Primary bone cancer originates in the bones and includes conditions such as osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, chondrosarcoma (cartilage), and fibrosarcoma (soft-tissue sarcoma that often starts in the thighbone).

Metastatic cancer, on the other hand, occurs when cancer from different parts of the body spreads to the bones. Despite spreading to bone, these types of cancers are not called bone cancers. Many advanced-stage cancers, including breast, prostate, and lung, can spread to bones and lead to bone cancer.

While primary bone cancer is uncommon, it still causes thousands of deaths in the United States each year. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 3,970 new cases of primary bone cancer in the United States in 2023, with a death toll of 2,140.

Bone Cancer Symptoms

The following are the primary symptoms that may indicate bone cancer:

Fractures

Bone cancer weakens the bones, although fractures do not commonly occur. Individuals who experience fractures often describe sudden and severe pain in an affected bone that has been aching for several months.

Lump or Swelling

The affected area may develop a lump or swelling. For example, in the case of bone cancer in the neck, a lump may form in the back of the throat, causing difficulty swallowing or breathing.

Pain

Bone pain is the most common symptom of bone cancer. Initially, the pain may not be persistent and can worsen during nighttime or physical activity. Over time, the pain becomes more constant.

Other

Bone cancer in the spinal area can compress nerves, leading to numbness, tingling sensations, or even weakness in various body parts, depending on the tumor’s location.

Like many other types of cancer, bone cancer can also cause weight loss and fatigue. In addition, if the cancer spreads to other organs, such as the lungs, additional symptoms, such as coughing or difficulty breathing, may arise.

Risk Factors for Bone Cancer

Although the exact causes of bone cancer are unknown, according to Mayo Clinic, doctors have identified certain factors associated with an increased risk, including:

Hereditary syndromes: Certain rare hereditary syndromes, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome (an autosomal dominant genetic disorder) and hereditary retinoblastoma, can increase the risk of bone cancer.

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Paget’s disease of bone (PDB): Most commonly found in older individuals, it increases the risk of developing bone cancer later in life.

Previous radiation therapy: Exposure to high-dose radiation, such as during cancer radiation therapy, increases the risk of developing bone cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, the most known risk factors for bone cancer, such as age, certain bone diseases, and genetic bone disorders, cannot be changed. Apart from radiation exposure, no known lifestyle-related or environmental factors cause bone cancer. Therefore, there are no specific proven methods to prevent it.

Is Bone Cancer Treatable?

According to the Taiwan Cancer Foundation, the treatment for bone cancer depends on the tumor characteristics and the patient’s condition, and it may involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these approaches.

Surgical treatment: Surgery is a crucial treatment modality for most types of bone cancer. It involves extensive tumor removal to reduce the risk of the cancer spreading to other parts of the body. In some cases, reconstructive surgery may be necessary to preserve limb function as much as possible.

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Radiation therapy: High-energy radiation can damage and destroy cancer cells, inhibiting their growth. In clinical practice, radiation therapy for bone cancer is used in cases where surgery is not feasible or when complete tumor removal is impossible, such as in Ewing sarcoma or osteosarcoma.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy utilizes anti-cancer drugs administered orally or through injections to target and kill rapidly dividing cancer cells, reducing or eliminating cancer cells throughout the body, thus achieving therapeutic effects.

The Taiwan Cancer Foundation also highlights significant advancements in the treatment of bone cancer, including techniques for limb-sparing surgery and the development of medical devices which aim to remove tumors and minimize the likelihood of amputation. Adjuvant chemotherapy following surgery has also increased survival rates. Therefore, it is crucial to be vigilant about early symptoms, particularly bone pain, during adolescents’ growth and development. Optimal therapeutic outcomes can be achieved by accurately identifying the cause and receiving timely treatment.