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 defects 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 biopsy, a combination of chemotherapy and surgery is usually necessary. Radiation therapy may be needed before or after surgery.
Memorial Solid Tumor Group
William Tap is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in New York, New York. Dr. Tap is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bone Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Angiosarcoma, Tissue Biopsy, and Liver Embolization.
MD Anderson
Robert Satcher is an Orthopedics specialist and a Surgical Oncologist in Houston, Texas. Dr. Satcher is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bone Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Bone Tumor, Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma, Osteotomy, and Hip Replacement.
MD Anderson
Laurence Rhines is a Neurosurgery specialist and a Surgical Oncologist in Houston, Texas. Dr. Rhines is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Bone Tumor. His top areas of expertise are 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: Translational studies in cancer research can be impeded by the lack of high-quality clinical data that can be correlated with research questions. This is particularly true in the case of rare diseases, such as bone and soft tissue tumors. It is therefore the purpose of this study to create a prospective EHR-based clinical registry for individuals with bone and soft-tissue tumors.
Summary: The objective of this study is to describe adherence to a personalised home exercise program in patients undergoing resection and reconstruction of lower limb for bone tumor and neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment in the first six months after surgery intervention and investigate possible prognostic factors.
Published Date: March 31, 2024
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, 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. Editorial update 08/29/2024.
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.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network website. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology (NCCN guidelines): Bone cancer. Version 1.2025. www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/bone.pdf. Updated August 20, 2024. Accessed August 29, 2024.
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.