About Bone Cancer

Bone cancer begins when cells in your bones grow out of control. These cells often form tumors. Some tumors are benign, non-cancerous. Others are malignant cancer, potentially spreading to other parts of the body.

Benign bone tumors include mostly non-threatening types usually curable through surgery. These non-cancerous tumors include:

• Osteoid osteoma
• Osteoblastoma
• Osteochondroma
• Enchondroma
• Chondromyxoid fibroma

Malignant Bone Tumors

Cancerous bone tumors include many subtypes, including:

• Osteosarcoma, starting in the bone cells as the most common type of bone cancer
• Chondrosarcoma, cancer starting in cartilage cells
• Ewing tumors, usually occurring in the pelvis, ribs, shoulder blades, long bones of the legs and long bones of the arms
• Malignant fibrous histiocytoma, typically starting in connective tissues like ligaments, tendons, fat and muscle
• Fibrosarcoma, most often developing in soft tissues and bones of legs, arms and jaw
• Giant cell tumors of bone, either benign or malignant, starting in leg or arm bones
• Chordoma, a bone tumor usually occurring in the base of the skull or spinal bones

Bone Cancer Treatment

Treatment for bone cancer depends on your cancer’s type and stage. Sometimes more than one type of treatment is recommended for best results. Your bone cancer treatment team includes a variety of professionals dedicated to helping you make the best treatment decisions for your cancer, including:

• Orthopedic surgeon
• Orthopedic oncologist
• Radiation oncologist
• Medical oncologist
• Nurse practitioners
• Nurses
• Social workers
• Psychologists
• Rehabilitation specialists
• Nutritionists
• Other treatment professionals

Treatment options for bone cancer often include:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Clinical trials

Caring professionals help you understand your treatment options and choose the right treatments for your bone cancer. Be sure you ask questions to gain full understanding of your options before making these decisions.

Many people choose to under traditional medical treatments, such as those above, also incorporating some complementary methods into their treatment period. Complementary methods are procedures or therapies not indicated to help heal cancer alone, but those giving you greater strength, helping you heal and keeping you feeling as good as possible during your medical treatments. Complementary methods include acupuncture, vitamins, herbs, special diets and massage.