Bone TumorSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Bone Tumor Overview
Learn About Bone Tumor
A bone tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within a bone. A bone tumor may be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).
Tumor - bone; Bone cancer; Primary bone tumor; Secondary bone tumor; Bone tumor - benign
The cause of bone tumors is unknown. They often occur in areas of the bone that grow rapidly. Possible causes include:
- Genetic variants passed down through families
- Radiation
- Injury
In most cases, no specific cause is found.
Osteochondromas are the most common noncancerous (benign) bone tumors. They occur most often in young people between the ages of 10 and 20.
Cancers that start in the bones are called primary bone tumors. Bone cancers that start in another part of the body (such as the breast, lungs, or colon) are called secondary or metastatic bone tumors. They behave very differently from primary bone tumors.
Cancerous primary bone tumors include:
- Chondrosarcoma
- Ewing sarcoma
- Fibrosarcoma
- Osteosarcoma
Cancers that most often spread to the bone are cancers of the:
- Breast
- Kidney
- Lung
- Prostate
- Thyroid
These forms of cancer usually affect older people.
Bone cancer is more common in people who have a family history of cancers.
Symptoms of a bone tumor may include any of the following:
- Bone fracture, especially from slight injury (trauma)
- Bone pain, may be worse at night
- Occasionally a mass and swelling can be felt at the tumor site
Some benign tumors have no symptoms.
Some benign bone tumors go away on their own and do not need treatment. Your provider will closely monitor you. You will likely need regular imaging tests, such as x-rays, to see if the tumor shrinks or grows.
Surgery may be needed to remove the tumor in some cases.
Treatment for cancerous bone tumors that have spread from other parts of the body depends on where the cancer started. Radiation therapy may be given to prevent fractures or to relieve pain. Chemotherapy may be used to prevent fractures or the need for surgery or radiation.
Tumors that start in the bone are rare. After a biopsy, a combination of chemotherapy and surgery is usually necessary. Radiation therapy may be needed before or after surgery.
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
Patrick Lin is an Orthopedics provider practicing medicine in Cary, North Carolina. Dr. Lin is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bone Tumor. He is also highly rated in 33 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Synovial Sarcoma, Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Bone Tumor, Osteotomy, and Bone Graft.
Rockefeller Outpatient Pavilion
William Tap is an Oncologist practicing medicine in New York, New York. Dr. Tap is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bone Tumor. He is also highly rated in 29 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Angiosarcoma, Tissue Biopsy, and Liver Embolization. Dr. Tap is currently accepting new patients.
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
Laurence Rhines is a Neurosurgery provider practicing medicine in Cary, North Carolina. Dr. Rhines is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bone Tumor. He is also highly rated in 8 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Chordoma, Bone Tumor, Fractured Spine, Osteotomy, and Vertebroplasty.
You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.
How well you do depends on the type of bone tumor.
The outcome is usually good in people with noncancerous (benign) tumors. But some benign bone tumors can turn into cancer.
People with cancerous bone tumors that have not spread may be cured. The cure rate depends on the type of cancer, location, size, and other factors. Talk to your provider about your particular cancer.
Problems that may result from the tumor or treatment include:
- Pain
- Reduced function, depending on the tumor
- Side effects of chemotherapy
- Spread of the cancer to other nearby tissues (metastasis)
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of a bone tumor.
Summary: This study collects data from patients undergoing minimally invasive, image-guided cancer treatments at participating hospitals in the Netherlands and France. All treatments are performed as standard clinical care and include procedures such as tumor ablation and catheter-based treatments of cancer in the liver, kidney, lung, and bone. During these procedures, a spectral angio-CT system is used fo...
Summary: The purpose of this study is to specifically evaluate the effectiveness of PuraGel, a RADA16 polypeptide hydrogel, in expediting post-operative healing and re-mucosalization of the nasoseptal flap harvest site during endoscopic skull base surgery and the impact on patient and sinonasal morbidity.
Published Date: January 29, 2026
Published By: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Heck RK, Toy PC. Malignant tumors of bone. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 27.
Jones RL. Malignant bone tumors, sarcomas, and other soft tissue neoplasms. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 187.
Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al. Neoplasms of bone. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 550.
National Cancer Institute website. Osteosarcoma and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/bone/hp/ osteosarcoma-treatment-pdq. Updated December 2, 2024. Accessed April 23, 2026.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network website. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology (NCCN guidelines): Bone cancer. Version 2.2026. www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/bone.pdf. Updated December 19, 2025. Accessed April 10, 2026.
Toy PC, Heck RK. Benign bone tumors and nonneoplastic conditions simulating bone tumors. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 25.