Bone cancer begins when abnormal cells in the bone grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. Because every patient’s situation is unique, our team at Illinois CancerCare focuses on early detection, accurate diagnosis, and personalized treatment plans designed to give you the best possible outcome. Primary bone cancers start in the bone itself, while secondary bone cancers (bone metastases) begin in another organ and spread to the bones. This page focuses on primary bone cancers.
Understanding the Bones
Your skeleton is made up of different types of bone and cartilage cells that build, maintain, and remodel bone throughout life. Primary bone cancers (also called bone sarcomas) can arise from these different cell types and behave differently depending on their origin, grade, and location.
Types of Bone Cancer
Osteosarcoma
The most common primary bone cancer in teens and young adults; usually starts in long bones such as the thigh (femur) or shin (tibia).
Ewing sarcoma
Often occurs in children and young adults; can start in bone or nearby soft tissue.
Chondrosarcoma
More common in adults; begins in cartilage cells and often involves the pelvis, hip, or shoulder.
Chordoma
A rare, slowgrowing tumor that typically forms at the base of the skull or along the spine.
Other rare tumors
Such as undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone and (noncancerous but locally aggressive) giant cell tumor of bone.
These cancers differ in how they present and how they are treated.
Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms can vary by tumor location and type, and many noncancer conditions can cause similar symptoms. If you’re concerned, talk with your doctor.
Risk Factors
Screening
There is no standard screening test for people at average risk of primary bone cancer. Evaluation is typically prompted by symptoms or abnormal imaging done for another reason.
Diagnosis
Your care team will use a combination of exams and tests to confirm a diagnosis and guide treatment planning:
Diagnostic steps are tailored to the suspected tumor type and your clinical situation.
Staging
Staging describes how advanced the cancer is and helps guide treatment. Primary bone cancers are staged using a tumornodemetastasis (TNM) system and grade (how the cells look under a microscope). In general terms:
Stage I
Localized, lowgrade tumor confined to the bone
Stage II
Localized, highgrade tumor confined to the bone
Stage III
Highgrade tumor with more than one site within the same bone
Stage IV
Cancer has spread to the lungs, lymph nodes, or other distant sites
Some bone sarcomas (like Ewing sarcoma) are grouped more simply as localized or metastatic at diagnosis. Your team will explain which system applies to you.
Treatment Options
Treatment is individualized based on the type of bone cancer, stage, location, grade, your overall health, and your goals. Care is typically coordinated by a multidisciplinary team experienced in sarcomas.
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiation Therapy
Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy
Rehabilitation & Supportive Care
Your Illinois CancerCare team will discuss the benefits and risks of each option and whether a clinical trial is right for you.
Prognosis
Many people with localized bone cancers can be treated successfully. Outlook depends on tumor type, stage, grade, location, tumor response to therapy, and overall health. Your doctor will review what these factors mean in your specific case.
Follow Up Care
Regular follow up typically includes physical exams, imaging of the original tumor site, and chest imaging to check for recurrence or spread, along with rehabilitation and management of any longterm or late effects of treatment. Your schedule will be personalized to your diagnosis and treatment.
Living With Bone Cancer
Illinois CancerCare offers comprehensive support, including counseling, nutrition guidance, rehabilitation services, survivorship programs, clinical trials access, and caregiver support to help you and your loved ones navigate treatment and recovery.
Why Choose Illinois CancerCare
Sources & Patient Friendly References
All information was taken from the NCI (National Cancer Institute) JNCCN (Official Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network), and ACS (American Cancer Society).