This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Maurie Markman, MD, President, Medicine & Science
This page was updated on July 20, 2022.
Most cancer found in bones has metastasized from other parts of the body. Primary bone cancer, which starts in the bone, accounts for fewer than 1 percent of all cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. Primary bone tumors are called sarcomas and are malignant (cancerous). While malignant tumors may occur in any bone, primary bone cancer most often develops in the long bones of the arms and legs.
Bone cancer that starts in another part of the body is secondary bone cancer and is identified by the area where it originated. For example, multiple myeloma and leukemia begin in the bone marrow and can cause malignant bone tumors, but they are classified as blood cancers rather than primary bone cancers. Secondary bone cancer may have similar signs and symptoms to primary bone cancer, so a biopsy is often needed to determine the cause of the cancer.
At City of Hope, we believe that every cancer is as unique as the person fighting it. In an era of precision medicine, with ever-evolving treatment advances, fighting bone cancer requires personalized care, delivered by experts trained in the many facets of this complex disease. Our cancer experts work with a multidisciplinary care team that uses a wide array of diagnostic tests, such as PET and CT scans, to diagnose and stage the disease and customize an individualized treatment plan. Throughout treatment, imaging and laboratory tests track the size of the tumors and the response to treatment, allowing the care team to modify the treatment plan as needed, in real time.
This overview will cover the basic facts about bone cancer, including:
If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of bone cancer and want to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing, or if you’re interested in a second opinion on your bone cancer diagnosis and treatment plan, call us or chat online with a member of our team.
Secondary bone cancer results when cancer cells—such as prostate cancer, lung cancer, or breast cancer—metastasize in the bone. After bone metastasis, the bone begins replicating prostate cancer cells or breast cancer cells, rather than the osteoblast and osteoclast cells that normally comprise healthy bones.
The exact cause of primary bone cancer is unknown, but certain factors may increase a person’s risk of developing the disease.
Several genetic disorders (hereditary syndromes) are considered risk factors for bone cancer, including:
Some bone cancers run in families, but the underlying genetic mutations have not been identified yet. Other conditions that increase risk of bone cancer include:
These previous treatments may also play a role:
There is no definitive understanding of who gets bone cancer. Some forms of the disease affect young people, while others don’t show up until middle age or later years. Several are more common in men than women.
Primary bone cancers are a specific subtype of a group of cancers known as sarcomas. Sarcomas are cancers that start in bone, muscle, connective tissue, blood vessels or fat, and may be found anywhere in the body. Types of bone cancers include:
Not all bone tumors are malignant. Benign bone tumors include osteoid osteoma, osteoblastoma, osteochondroma, enchondroma and chondromyxoid fibroma.
Many bone cancer symptoms match common symptoms associated with arthritis, osteoporosis or injury. If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you should discuss them with your doctor in order to identify the cause.
Possible symptoms of bone cancer include:
Tools frequently used for bone cancer diagnosis include:
Treatment options for bone cancer include:
We understand that bone cancer can cause mobility issues and other symptoms related to the disease and its treatment. That’s why your care team includes an orthopedic oncologist with expertise in diagnosing and treating malignant musculoskeletal diseases. For primary bone cancer patients, orthopedic oncologists may perform a variety of procedures to remove tumors, reconstruct the bones if necessary, and help patients restore limb mobility, enhance function and manage pain.
Bone pain is a common symptom of bone cancer. For that reason, your care team will also include a pain management physician who evaluates, treats and manages short- and long-term pain. Our pain management physicians use a combination of pain-control methods, including pharmacological approaches, such as prescription medications and non-pharmacological approaches. Non-pharmacological approaches include therapies, including behavioral, neurological or psychological interventions.
Because each patient may experience pain differently, we tailor pain management therapies to each patient’s needs and goals. The team approach at City of Hope is designed to put patients in the middle of their care, treating the disease and managing side effects so they can get back to their lives.
Supportive care therapies that may be recommended to help patients with bone cancer stay strong and maintain their quality of life include:
