BONE CANCER (SARCOMA)Many "bone cancers" are caused from the spread of a cancer from another part of the body. This is call metastatic cancer. For example, a cancerous lung tumor could spread from the lungs to the rib cage, so the cancer is now in the bones but the cancer cells still act and look like lung tumor cells. These are not true bone cancers.
True (or primary) bone cancers start in the bones and are sarcomas. Sarcomas are cancers that start in bone, muscle, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, fat tissue, and some other tissues. |
Ewing tumor (Ewing sarcoma):
Ewing tumor is the third most common type of primary bone cancer. Common spots for the cancer to develop are the bones of the pelvis, chest wall, legs and arms. It is most common among white people, and is very rare among Asians and Africans.
Chordoma:
In adults usually over 30, chordomas can form. They are twice as common in males than females, and tend to form at the base of the skull and spine bones. Chordomas don't often spread or grow quickly but often reoccur in the same spot if not completely removed. The lymph nodes, lungs, and liver are the most common spots for secondary tumors-- tumors that spread from the original bone tumor.
Giant cell tumor of bone:
Giant cell tumor of the bone can be found in malignant and benign form. The tumors are typically found near the knee. They do not usually grow or spread quickly until after surgical removal. After this, the tumors are likely to grow back and grow quicker and are more likely to spread with each recurrence. This process is called local recurrence and can repeat itself several times. The cancerous form, though much less common, can spread quickly before being removed and undergoing local recurrence.
Ewing tumor is the third most common type of primary bone cancer. Common spots for the cancer to develop are the bones of the pelvis, chest wall, legs and arms. It is most common among white people, and is very rare among Asians and Africans.
Chordoma:
In adults usually over 30, chordomas can form. They are twice as common in males than females, and tend to form at the base of the skull and spine bones. Chordomas don't often spread or grow quickly but often reoccur in the same spot if not completely removed. The lymph nodes, lungs, and liver are the most common spots for secondary tumors-- tumors that spread from the original bone tumor.
Giant cell tumor of bone:
Giant cell tumor of the bone can be found in malignant and benign form. The tumors are typically found near the knee. They do not usually grow or spread quickly until after surgical removal. After this, the tumors are likely to grow back and grow quicker and are more likely to spread with each recurrence. This process is called local recurrence and can repeat itself several times. The cancerous form, though much less common, can spread quickly before being removed and undergoing local recurrence.
The following cancers are usually metastatic to the bone.
Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (pleomorphic undifferentiated sarcoma): When MFH occurs, it is generally on the arms and legs (particularly near the knees). It tends to grow locally but can spread and is most common in middle-age to elderly adults. Fibrosarcoma: Fibrosarcoma usually affects the jaw, leg, and arm bones and occurs in middle-age to elderly adults. |