Bone Cancer Information
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What is Bone Cancer?
Bone cancer is a rare cancer that forms in the cells of bones. As the supporting framework of the body, the bones provide structure and shape to the body, act as braces for muscles to produce movement, and protect internal organs.
Most bones are hollow and consist of a hard outer portion (onto which calcium salts are deposited), a spongy inner tissue that contains bone marrow (which makes and stores blood cells), and cartilage at each end of the bone (which acts as a cushion between bones). The bone itself contains three types of cells: osteoblasts (which form new bone), osteocytes (which help maintain bone), and osteoclasts (which break down bone).
Cancer that begins in the bone (known as primary bone cancer) is not the same disease as cancer that starts in another part of the body and spreads (or metastasizes) to the bone (called secondary bone cancer). While it can occur in any of the bones of the body, primary bone cancer most often occurs in the long bones of the arms and legs.
According to the American Cancer Society, primary bone cancers account for less than 0.2 percent of all cancers, only about 2,300 new cases per year in the United States. More commonly, bones are the site of tumors that spread to the bone from another part of the body (bone metastases), such as the breasts, lungs, and prostate.
Types of Bone Cancer
Bone cancers can be primary (sarcomas), where the cancer forms in the cells of the bone. Or they can be secondary (bone metastasis) where the cancer has spread from another part of the body to the bone.
Primary bone cancers:
- Osteosarcoma - Also known as osteogenic sarcoma, osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer and typically starts in the bones of the arms, legs, or pelvis of people between the ages of 10 and 30.
- Chondrosarcoma - This type of bone cancer forms in cartilage cells and is the second most common form of the disease. It rarely occurs in people under the age of 20, and the chances of developing it increases with age.
- Ewing tumor - Also known as Ewing sarcoma, this cancer starts in the bones, but can also start in other tissues and muscles. It is the third most common and typically forms in children and teenagers.
- Fibrosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma - Both of these bone cancers develop in the soft tissue around the bones and tend to occur in older adults. They most commonly affect the arms, legs or jaw.
- Giant cell tumor of bone - This type of bone cancer can have both benign and malignant forms, benign being the most common. It usually affects the arm or leg bones among young and middle aged adults without spreading. They commonly return after surgical removal and tend to spread to other parts of the body.
- Chordoma - Often found in adults 30 or older, this bone cancer affects the spine and the base of the skull. It is about twice as common for men than women and tends to grow more slowly without spreading. However after surgery, this bone cancer can return and usually spreads to the lungs, liver or lymph nodes.
Secondary bone cancer:
- Bone metastasis - Bone metastasis is a form of bone cancer that develops in another part of the body and spreads to the bones through the blood stream or lymph system. While this type of cancer can form in any part of the body it is most commonly found in the bones near the center, like the pelvis or spine.
Next Topic: Bone Cancer Risk Factors
