Definition
A bone tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within the bone that may be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).
The most common type of primary bone cancer is osteosarcoma, which develops in new tissue in growing bones. Another type of cancer, chondrosarcoma, arises in cartilage. Ewing's sarcoma begins in immature nerve tissue in bone marrow. Osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma tend to occur in children and adolescents, and chondrosarcoma occurs most often in adults. Pain is the most frequent symptom of primary and metastatic cancer in bone. Bone cancer can also interfere with normal movements and can weaken the bones, leading to fractures. Diagnosis of bone cancer is supported by findings of the medical history and examination, blood tests (including measuring the level of the enzyme for the enzyme alkaline phosphatase), and X-ray studies, and it is confirmed by a biopsy. Treatment depends on the type, location, size, and extent of the tumor. Surgery is often the primary treatment. Although amputation of a limb is sometimes necessary for primary bone cancer, chemotherapy has made limb-sparing surgery possible in many cases. Radiation may also be used.
Cancer that begins in bone (primary bone cancer) is different from cancer that begins somewhere else in the body and spreads to bone (secondary bone cancer).
The four most common types of primary bone cancer are:
- Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is the most common primary bone cancer. It is a malignant tumor of bone marrow. Multiple myeloma affects approximately five to seven people per 100,000 each year. According to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, more than 56,000 American sare living with the disease each year. Most cases are seen in patients between the ages of 50 and 70 years old. Any bone can be involved.
- Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma is the second most common bone cancer. It occurs in two or three new people per million people each year. Most cases occur in teenagers. Most tumors occur around the knee. Other common locations include the hip and shoulder.
- Ewing's Sarcoma
Ewings sarcoma most commonly occurs between 5 and 20 years of age. The most common locations are the upper and lower leg, pelvis, upper arm, and ribs.
- Chondrosarcoma
Chondrosarcoma occurs most commonly in patients between 40 and 70 years of age. Most cases occur around the hip and pelvis or the shoulder.
There are many types of benign bone tumors. The more common types include:
The most common type of primary bone cancer is osteosarcoma, which develops in new tissue in growing bones. Another type of cancer, chondrosarcoma, arises in cartilage. Ewing's sarcoma begins in immature nerve tissue in bone marrow. Osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma tend to occur in children and adolescents, and chondrosarcoma occurs most often in adults. Pain is the most frequent symptom of primary and metastatic cancer in bone. Bone cancer can also interfere with normal movements and can weaken the bones, leading to fractures. Diagnosis of bone cancer is supported by findings of the medical history and examination, blood tests (including measuring the level of the enzyme for the enzyme alkaline phosphatase), and X-ray studies, and it is confirmed by a biopsy. Treatment depends on the type, location, size, and extent of the tumor. Surgery is often the primary treatment. Although amputation of a limb is sometimes necessary for primary bone cancer, chemotherapy has made limb-sparing surgery possible in many cases. Radiation may also be used.
Description
Cancer that begins in bone (primary bone cancer) is different from cancer that begins somewhere else in the body and spreads to bone (secondary bone cancer).
The four most common types of primary bone cancer are:
- Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is the most common primary bone cancer. It is a malignant tumor of bone marrow. Multiple myeloma affects approximately five to seven people per 100,000 each year. According to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, more than 56,000 American sare living with the disease each year. Most cases are seen in patients between the ages of 50 and 70 years old. Any bone can be involved.
- Osteosarcoma
Osteosarcoma is the second most common bone cancer. It occurs in two or three new people per million people each year. Most cases occur in teenagers. Most tumors occur around the knee. Other common locations include the hip and shoulder.
- Ewing's Sarcoma
Ewings sarcoma most commonly occurs between 5 and 20 years of age. The most common locations are the upper and lower leg, pelvis, upper arm, and ribs.
- Chondrosarcoma
Chondrosarcoma occurs most commonly in patients between 40 and 70 years of age. Most cases occur around the hip and pelvis or the shoulder.
There are many types of benign bone tumors. The more common types include:
- Non-ossifying fibromaunicameral (simple) bone cyst
- Osteochondroma
- Giant cell tumor
- Enchondroma
- Fibrous dysplasia