Types of Bone Cancer

There are two types of bone cancers, primary and secondary.

• Primary bone cancer (also known as sarcoma) begins in the bone.


• Secondary bone cancer begins somewhere else in the body, and spreads (or metastasizes) to the bone.

Primary Bone Cancer

Primary bone cancer is rare. Some types affect young people, while others affect adults. Bone cancer is almost never seen in the bones of the hands or feet. Bone cancers which affect young people include:

• Osteosarcoma, which is seen in young people under the age of twenty. It commonly affects the knee or leg bones. If it spreads, it goes to the lungs. Previous exposure to radiation has been shown to increase the risk for this cancer.



• Ewing's Sarcoma is also seen mostly in young people between the ages of three and twenty-five. It is most common in the pelvic area or the legs.

Adults may develop other types of sarcomas. These occur in the trunk or the legs, and are most commonly seen in men. Other than radiation exposure, there are no known risk factors for bone cancers. Because these cancers are so rare, there are no screening programs for bone cancer. Most of those affected will have symptoms which bring them to their healthcare provider. These may include:

• persistent pain and, or, swelling unrelated to trauma,


• a fracture.

Diagnosis is most often made through x-rays. The type of cancer must be confirmed through a bone biopsy. In this test, a sample of the affected cells are collected through a needle, and examined under a microscope.
Treatment may include one or more of the following:

• radiotherapy,


• chemotherapy,
or

• surgery.

The treatment depends on the type, site, and extent of the bone cancer. People affected with primary bone cancer are doing much better than they did in the past. Depending on the extent of the disease, up to 70 percent of those affected can expect to survive long term.