Primary Bone Cancer
On these pages you will find information on primary bone cancers for patients, their families and friends and the general public to help your understanding of and raise awareness of these cancers. The information includes a look at what is primary bone cancer, who gets it and how it is diagnosed and treated.
Primary bone cancer is the name given to cancer that starts in the bones, rather than cancer that has spread to the bones from other parts of the body (secondary bone cancer).
Bones are living structures and have many functions:
- They provide shape and support,
- Protect body structures,
- Store minerals,
- Aid body movements.
In addition, the hollow centre of many bones contains bone marrow; the function of the bone marrow is the production of blood cells.
The bone marrow and its functions are considered separate from the other main functions of bone. For this reason, cancers that originate in the bone marrow such as myeloma, leukaemia and lymphomas are not classed as bone cancers.
The most common types of cancer that can spread to the bones and cause secondary tumours are cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, thyroid and kidney. However, it is possible for any type of cancer to spread to the bone.
The treatment and management of secondary bone cancer is very different from primary bone cancer. If you are looking for information about secondary bone cancer, you will need to find information about the primary cancer site. You may find these sites helpful:
Cancer Information - Macmillan Cancer Support
Primary bone cancers are rare; each year around 400 people in the UK and the 40 people in the Republic of Ireland will be told they have a primary bone cancer.
Figure 1 shows the average number of cases per year of primary bone cancer in 'England' (2002-2006). From the graph it can be seen that primary bone cancer can affect people of all ages. However, two peaks in the number of cases (incidence) can be seen. The largest peak is in the 10-24 age groups, a smaller peak can be seen in more elderly people.
There is more than one type of primary bone cancer. The name primary bone cancer is given to cancers that start in the bone. The three most common types of primary bone cancer are:
- Osteosarcoma (OS-tee-oh-sar-KOH-muh)
- Ewing's sarcoma (YOO-ing sar-KOH-muh)
- Chondrosarcoma. (KON-drow sar-KOH-muh)
Average Number of Cases per Year for the Three Most Common Primary Bone Cancers in the UK and Republic Of Ireland.
| Osteosarcoma | Ewing's sarcoma/ Ewing's sarcoma Family of tumours | Chondrosarcoma | |
| Republic of Ireland | 10 | 5 | 12 |
| UK | 150 | 85 | 90 |
Much rarer types of primary bone cancer include:
- Chordoma (kor-DOH-muh)
- Spindle Cell Sarcomas
- Undifferentiated sarcoma of bone,
- Fibrosarcoma,
- Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (FY-brus HIS-tee-oh-sy-TOH-muh),
- Leiomyosarcoma (LY-oh-MY-oh-sar-KOH-muh).
- Angiosarcoma (AN-jee-oh-sar-KOH-muh)
Please click on the following links for information on osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma.
Before the questions of 'what is osteosarcoma' and what is Ewing's sarcoma are answered, it may be helpful to understand 'what is cancer?'
Some like bacteria are single cells; others including humans are made up of billions or even trillions of cells. In humans there are thought to be as many as 100 trillion cells. That's 10 followed by 13 zeros. Cells are the building blocks of tissues and organs that make up our bodies.
During periods of growth and development, for example, in the womb, puberty or during adolescence, cells split or divide forming two new exact copies of themselves called daughter cells. This means one cell becomes two; two cells become four and so on. This process, which is called the 'cell cycle' also carries on throughout life to replace old or damaged cells.
The cell cycle, and the process of cell division is very tightly controlled; normal body cells 'know' when to start and stop dividing, and when to die. This means new cells are only made when they are needed.
If cells start to divide too quickly or in an uncontrolled way and do not die when they are supposed to, they can form a lump called a tumour. As well as dividing uncontrollably, cancer cells also have the ability to invade and damage other tissues or break away from the main tumour spreading to other sites of the body. When this happens, the lump or tumour is called malignant or cancerous.
Every type of cell in the body, apart from red blood cells, has a structure inside called the nucleus. Inside the nucleus is 'instructions' or information that the cell needs. These instructions are found on a long molecule (around 2 metres long) called DNA [deoxyribonucleic acid, (dee-OK-see-RY-boh-new-KLAY-ik acid)].
The DNA arranges itself into structures called chromosomes. The instructions tell the cell what role it will play in the body. We call these instructions 'genes.'
Some genes are responsible for stopping cells dividing too quickly or in an uncontrolled way. Damage to these genes can cause cells to grow and divide when they should not and rather than dying those cells can continue to live and continue to divide. This can lead to the development of cancer.
Cancer is not a single disease, there are over 200 different types affecting many different organs and tissues.
Information on Ewing's sarcomas and osteosarcomas, which are the two most common primary bone cancers found in children and young people can be found here: osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma.
Last reviewed: October 2010; Version: 1.1
Review due: October 2011
The authors and reviewers of this information are committed to producing reliable, accurate and up to date content reflecting the best available research evidence, and best clinical practice. We aim to provide unbiased information free from any commercial conflicts of interest. This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. BCRT can answer questions about primary bone cancers, including treatments and research but we are unable to offer specific advice about individual patients. If you are worried about any symptoms please consult your doctor.
