Bone Cancer: Questions and Answers 

Key Points 

• Cancer that starts in the bone is uncommon (see Question 4). 

• Pain is the most common symptom of bone cancer (see Question 5). 

• Surgery is the usual treatment for bone cancer (see Question 7). 

• With modern surgical techniques, 9 out of 10 people who have bone 

cancer in an arm or leg may not need amputation (see Question 7). 

• Because bone cancer can come back after treatment, regular follow-up 

visits are important (see Question 8). 

• People with bone cancer are encouraged to enroll in clinical trials 

(research studies) that explore new treatments (see Question 9). 

1. What is bone cancer?

Bone cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor of the bone that destroys normal bone 

tissue (1). Not all bone tumors are malignant. In fact, benign (noncancerous) bone 

tumors are more common than malignant ones. Both malignant and benign bone tumors 

may grow and compress healthy bone tissue, but benign tumors do not spread, do not 

destroy bone tissue, and are rarely a threat to life. 

Malignant tumors that begin in bone tissue are called primary bone cancer. Cancer that 

metastasizes (spreads) to the bones from other parts of the body, such as the breast, lung, 

or prostate, is called metastatic cancer, and is named for the organ or tissue in which it 

began. Primary bone cancer is far less common than cancer that spreads to the bones. 

2. Are there different types of primary bone cancer? 

 

 Yes. Cancer can begin in any type of bone tissue. Bones are made up of osteoid (hard or 

compact), cartilaginous (tough, flexible), and fibrous (threadlike) tissue, as well as 

elements of bone marrow (soft, spongy tissue in the center of most bones). 

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 Common types of primary bone cancer include: 

 

• Osteosarcoma, which arises from osteoid tissue in the bone. This tumor occurs most 

 often in the knee and upper arm (1). 

• Chondrosarcoma, which begins in cartilaginous tissue. Cartilage pads the ends of 

bones and lines the joints. Chondrosarcoma occurs most often in the pelvis (located 

between the hip bones), upper leg, and shoulder. Sometimes a chondrosarcoma 

contains cancerous bone cells. In that case, doctors classify the tumor as an 

osteosarcoma. 

• The Ewing Sarcoma Family of Tumors (ESFTs), which usually occur in bone but 

may also arise in soft tissue (muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or other 

supporting tissue). Scientists think that ESFTs arise from elements of primitive nerve 

tissue in the bone or soft tissue (2). ESFTs occur most commonly along the backbone 

and pelvis and in the legs and arms (3). 

 

Other types of cancer that arise in soft tissue are called soft tissue sarcomas. They are not 

bone cancer and are not described in this resource. (More information about these types 

of cancer is available in the NCI fact sheet Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Questions and 

Answers at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/soft-tissue-sarcoma 

on the Internet.) 

3. What are the possible causes of bone cancer? 

Although bone cancer does not have a clearly defined cause, researchers have identified 

several factors that increase the likelihood of developing these tumors. Osteosarcoma 

occurs more frequently in people who have had high-dose external radiation therapy or 

treatment with certain anticancer drugs; children seem to be particularly susceptible. A 

small number of bone cancers are due to heredity. For example, children who have had 

hereditary retinoblastoma (an uncommon cancer of the eye) are at a higher risk of 

developing osteosarcoma, particularly if they are treated with radiation. Additionally, 

people who have hereditary defects of bones and people with metal implants, which 

doctors sometimes use to repair fractures, are more likely to develop osteosarcoma (4). 

Ewing sarcoma is not strongly associated with any heredity cancer syndromes, congenital 

childhood diseases, or previous radiation exposure (2).

4. How often does bone cancer occur? 

Primary bone cancer is rare. It accounts for much less than 1 percent of all cancers. 

About 2,300 new cases of primary bone cancer are diagnosed in the United States each 

year (5). Different types of bone cancer are more likely to occur in certain populations: 

• Osteosarcoma occurs most commonly between ages 10 and 19. However, people 

over age 40 who have other conditions, such as Paget disease (a benign condition 
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characterized by abnormal development of new bone cells), are at increased risk of 

developing this cancer. 

• Chondrosarcoma occurs mainly in older adults (over age 40). The risk increases with 

advancing age. This disease rarely occurs in children and adolescents. 

• ESFTs occur most often in children and adolescents under 19 years of age. Boys are 

affected more often than girls. These tumors are extremely rare in African American 

children. 

5. What are the symptoms of bone cancer?

Pain is the most common symptom of bone cancer, but not all bone cancers cause pain 

(1). Persistent or unusual pain or swelling in or near a bone can be caused by cancer or 

by other conditions. It is important to see a doctor to determine the cause. 

6. How is bone cancer diagnosed? 

To help diagnose bone cancer, the doctor asks about the patient’s personal and family 

medical history. The doctor also performs a physical examination and may order 

laboratory and other diagnostic tests. These tests may include (1): 

• X-rays, which can show the location, size, and shape of a bone tumor. If x-rays 

suggest that an abnormal area may be cancer, the doctor is likely to recommend 

special imaging tests. Even if x-rays suggest that an abnormal area is benign, the 

doctor may want to do further tests, especially if the patient is experiencing unusual 

or persistent pain. 

 

o A bone scan, which is a test in which a small amount of radioactive material is 

injected into a blood vessel and travels through the bloodstream; it then collects in 

the bones and is detected by a scanner. 

o A computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan, which is a series of detailed 

pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles, that are created by a 

computer linked to an x-ray machine. 

o A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure, which uses a powerful 

magnet linked to a computer to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body 

without using x-rays. 

o A positron emission tomography (PET) scan, in which a small amount of 

radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and a scanner is used to make 

detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body where the glucose is used. 

Because cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells, the pictures can be 

used to find cancer cells in the body. 
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o An angiogram, which is an x-ray of blood vessels. 

 

• Biopsy (removal of a tissue sample from the bone tumor) to determine whether 

cancer is present. The surgeon may perform a needle biopsy or an incisional biopsy. 

During a needle biopsy, the surgeon makes a small hole in the bone and removes a 

sample of tissue from the tumor with a needle-like instrument. In an incisional 

biopsy, the surgeon cuts into the tumor and removes a sample of tissue. Biopsies are 

best done by an orthopedic oncologist (a doctor experienced in the treatment of bone 

cancer) (1). A pathologist (a doctor who identifies disease by studying cells and 

tissues under a microscope) examines the tissue to determine whether it is cancerous. 

• Blood tests to determine the level of an enzyme called alkaline phosphatase. A large 

amount of this enzyme is present in the blood when the cells that form bone tissue are 

very active—when children are growing, when a broken bone is mending, or when a 

disease or tumor causes production of abnormal bone tissue. Because high levels of 

alkaline phosphatase are normal in growing children and adolescents, this test is not a 

completely reliable indicator of bone cancer (1, 6). 

7. What are the treatment options for bone cancer?

Treatment options depend on the type, size, location, and stage of the cancer, as well as 

the person’s age and general health. Treatment options for bone cancer include surgery, 

chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and cryosurgery. 

• Surgery is the usual treatment for bone cancer. The surgeon removes the entire 

tumor with negative margins (no cancer cells are found at the edge or border of the 

tissue removed during surgery). The surgeon may also use special surgical 

techniques to minimize the amount of healthy tissue removed with the tumor. 

Dramatic improvements in surgical techniques and preoperative tumor treatment have 

made it possible for most patients with bone cancer in an arm or leg to avoid radical 

surgical procedures (removal of the entire limb). However, most patients who 

undergo limb-sparing surgery need reconstructive surgery to maximize limb function 

(1). 

• Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells. Patients who have 

bone cancer usually receive a combination of anticancer drugs. However, 

chemotherapy is not currently used to treat chondrosarcoma (1). 

• Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy x-rays 

to kill cancer cells. This treatment may be used in combination with surgery. It is 

often used to treat chondrosarcoma, which cannot be treated with chemotherapy, as 

well as ESFTs (1). It may also be used for patients who refuse surgery. 
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• Cryosurgery is the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill cancer cells. This 

technique can sometimes be used instead of conventional surgery to destroy the 

tumor (1). 

8. Is follow-up treatment necessary? What does it involve? 

Yes. Bone cancer sometimes metastasizes, particularly to the lungs, or can recur (come 

back), either at the same location or in other bones in the body (1). People who have had 

bone cancer should see their doctor regularly and should report any unusual symptoms 

right away. Follow-up varies for different types and stages of bone cancer. Generally, 

patients are checked frequently by their doctor and have regular blood tests and x-rays. 

People who have had bone cancer, particularly children and adolescents, have an 

increased likelihood of developing another type of cancer, such as leukemia, later in life. 

Regular follow-up care ensures that changes in health are discussed and that problems are 

treated as soon as possible. 

9. Are clinical trials (research studies) available for people with bone cancer? 

Yes. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many people with 

bone cancer. To develop new treatments and better ways to use current treatments, the 

National Cancer Institute (NCI), a part of the National Institutes of Health, is sponsoring 

clinical trials in many hospitals and cancer centers around the country. Clinical trials are 

a critical step in the development of new methods of treatment. Before any new 

treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out 

whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease. 

People interested in taking part in a clinical trial should talk with their doctor. 

Information about clinical trials is available from the NCI’s Cancer Information Service 

(CIS) (see below) at 1–800–4–CANCER and in the NCI booklet Taking Part in Cancer 

Treatment Research Studies, which can be found at 

http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/Taking-Part-in-Cancer-Treatment-Research-Studies 

on the Internet. This booklet describes how research studies are carried out and explains 

their possible benefits and risks. Further information about clinical trials is available at 

http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials on the NCI’s Web site. The Web site offers detailed 

information about specific ongoing studies by linking to PDQ®, the NCI’s comprehensive 

cancer information database. The CIS also provides information from PDQ. 

Selected References 

1. Malawer MM, Helman LJ, O'Sullivan B. Sarcomas of bone. In: DeVita VT, Hellman S, 

 Rosenberg SA, editors. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. Vol. 2. 7th ed. 

 Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2004. 
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2. Pizzo P, Poplack DG, editors. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Oncology. 4th ed. 

 Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2002. 

3. Ries LAG, Smith MA, Gurney JG, et al., editors. Cancer Incidence and Survival among 

 Children and Adolescents: United States SEER Program 1975-1999. Bethesda, MD: 

 National Cancer Institute, 1999. 

4. Miller RW, Boice JD, Curtis RE. Bone cancer. In: Schottenfeld D, Fraumeni JF, 

 editors. Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University 

 Press, 1996. 

5. American Cancer Society (2008). Cancer Facts and Figures 2008. Atlanta, GA: 

 American Cancer Society. Retrieved March 13, 2008, from 

 http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/2008CAFFfinalsecured.pdf 

6. Fischbach FT, Dunning MB. A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 7th ed. 

 Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2004. 

# # # 

Related NCI materials and Web pages: 

• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 6.12, Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Questions and 

Answers (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/soft-tissuesarcoma)

• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 6.20, Metastatic Cancer: Questions and 

Answers (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/metastatic)

• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 7.34, Cryosurgery in Cancer Treatment: 

Questions and Answers

(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/cryosurgery)

• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 7.48, Follow-up Care After Cancer Treatment: 

Questions and Answers

(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/followup) 

• Bone Cancer Home Page (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/bone/)

• Chemotherapy and You: Support for People With Cancer

(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/chemotherapy-and-you) 

• Clinical Trials Home Page (http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials) 

• Radiation Therapy and You: Support for People With Cancer 

(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/radiation-therapy-and-you) 

• Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies 

(http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/Taking-Part-in-Cancer-Treatment-ResearchStudies)
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For more help, contact: 

NCI’s Cancer Information Service 

Telephone (toll-free): 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237) 

TTY (toll-free): 1–800–332–8615

LiveHelp® online chat: https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/livehelp/welcome.asp

This fact sheet was reviewed on 03/13/08