When we hear about bone cancer, it is natural to get worried. But bone cancer isn’t just of one type. There are several types of primary bone cancer and each one behaves differently. It is also important to understand that cancer found in the bone does not always start in the bone. Occasionally, cancer begins in another part of the body and then metastasizes to bone. This is metastatic bone cancer or secondary bone cancer. Knowing which type of bone cancer it is can help doctors understand the diagnosis and plan the right treatment accordingly.
Primary bone cancer starts in the cells of the bone itself. There are several types, including chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the bone and chordoma. Some other cancers that usually start in soft tissue can also sometimes develop in bone.
It is the most common type of primary bone cancer. It develops from cartilage cells within the bone and is most common in adults between 30 and 60 years of age. It can develop inside a bone or on its surface. It is commonly found in long bones such as the tibia, fibula, femur, humerus, radius and ulna. It can also affect the pelvis, shoulder blades and ribs.
It is the second most common primary bone cancer. Although it can occur at any age, it is more common in children, teenagers and young adults, as well as people in their 70s and 80s. It can develop in different bones, but it most commonly occurs around the knee. Other common sites include the thigh bone, upper shin bone and upper arm bone.
It is another type of primary bone cancer. It is most common in children and teenagers, although adults can also develop it. It usually starts in the long bones, pelvis, ribs or vertebrae. Ewing sarcoma can also develop in soft tissues of the body. There are few other sarcomas that are similar to Ewing sarcoma, such as certain types of round cell sarcoma. Doctors need to identify the exact type because this information is important when discussing the diagnosis and how well treatment may work.
This is a less common type of bone cancer. It was previously known by another name, malignant fibrous pleomorphic sarcoma of the bone. These tumors are usually fast growing and can spread to other parts of the body. They most often begin in the long bones. The femur is the most common site, followed by the tibia and humerus. They are mostly diagnosed in people over 40 and are more common in men.
It is a very rare and usually slow-growing type of bone cancer. It develops from cells called the notochord, which forms part of the early spinal tissue during development before being replaced by bone. Around half of chordomas develop in the sacrum, which is the bone at the bottom of the spine. Others can develop in the bones of the skull and spine.
Some cancers that usually begin in soft tissue can sometimes start in bone. These include fibrosarcoma and leiomyosarcoma. There are also rare types of tumors that can develop in bone, including giant cell tumor of the bone and adamantinoma. It is worth remembering that not every bone tumor is cancerous, but some tumors require specialized evaluation even when they are not cancerous.
Primary bone cancers begin in the bone. Secondary or metastatic bone cancer is cancer that started somewhere else in the body and has spread to the bone. For example, if breast cancer spreads to the bone, the cancer cells in the bone are still breast cancer cells. So just because there is cancer in a bone doesn’t always mean it’s primary bone cancer. Doctors need to determine where the cancer started and exactly what type it is.
Being diagnosed with a bone tumor can be difficult, especially when you are unsure about its type or what should happen next. Dr. Love Kapoor is a well-known Orthopaedic Oncologist for managing bone tumors, soft tissue sarcomas and complex musculoskeletal cancers. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with a bone tumor, understanding exactly what type it is can be an important part of deciding what to do next.
Every bone tumor is different. Knowing its type can guide you to the right treatment plan.
Category: Types of Bone Cancer
Tags: chondrosarcoma Ewing sarcoma Orthopaedic Oncologist osteosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas Types of Bone Cancer
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