Overview

What is bone cancer?

• Cancer that starts in the bones is called primary bone cancer. It's also known as sarcoma and is very rare.
• You can get primary bone cancer in any bone, but it most commonly affects the hips (pelvis), ribs and bones in the arms and legs.
• The most common types of primary bone cancer are osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma.
• Things that can increase your chance of getting primary bone cancer include your age, having another bone condition like Paget's disease of bone, and having radiotherapy or chemotherapy for cancer in the past.
• Surgery and chemotherapy are often used to treat primary bone cancer. Radiotherapy and targeted medicines may also be used.

Secondary bone cancer

Primary bone cancer is not the same as secondary bone cancer, which starts in another part of the body and spreads to the bones.

Find out about secondary bone cancer on the Cancer Research

Symptoms

Symptoms of bone cancer

Main symptoms of bone cancer

The symptoms of primary bone cancer depend on the type and size of the cancer and where it is.

The main symptoms of bone cancer are:

• bone pain or tenderness – the pain may be constant or come and go, and it may be worse at night
• a lump or swelling (but it may not always be easy to see or feel)
• problems moving around – if the cancer is close to a joint, it may be difficult to move the joint and you may walk with a limp

Less common symptoms of bone cancer include:

• feeling very tired even after a good night's sleep
• high temperature (fever) – you may sweat a lot
• losing weight without trying to
• breaking a bone, but this is a very rare symptom of bone cancer

See a GP if:

• you have pain or tenderness in a bone, particularly if it's worse at night
• you notice a change that's not normal for you – for example, you have a lump or swelling or unexpected weight loss
• pain in your bones or joints is making it difficult for you to move around

You might not have bone cancer, but it's important to see a GP so they can check your symptoms. Finding bone cancer early can mean it's easier to treat.

What happens at your GP appointment

The GP will look at the part of your body that's painful.

They may feel your lymph nodes to check for any swelling. Lymph nodes are small glands found throughout the body, including in the neck, armpit and groin.

Tell the GP if you or a member of your family have had cancer in the past.

Referral to a specialist

The GP may refer you to a specialist in hospital for more tests if they think you have a condition that needs to be investigated.

This may be an urgent referral if you have certain symptoms. This does not definitely mean you have cancer.

Find out more

Cancer Research UK: seeing a GP with possible bone cancer

Who can get it

Causes of bone cancer

Main causes of bone cancer

It's not known what causes most primary bone cancers.

Some types of bone cancers are more common in certain age groups.

For example:

• Ewing sarcoma is more common in children and teenagers, but it can also affect adults
• osteosarcoma often affects children and teenagers (10 to 19 years)
• chondrosarcoma tends to affect adults aged 30 to 60 years

You're also more likely to get bone cancer if:

• you've had radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment for cancer in the past, particularly during childhood
• you have an inherited condition like hereditary retinoblastoma, Li-Fraumeni syndrome or Werner syndrome
• you have another bone condition, such as Paget's disease of bone or a non-cancerous (benign) bone tumour

Find out more

Cancer Research UK: risks and causes of bone cancer

Diagnosis

Tests and next steps for bone cancer

Main tests for bone cancer

If a GP thinks you could have bone cancer, they'll refer you to a bone specialist (an orthopaedic doctor) for some tests.

Tests you may have include:

• an X-ray
• a scan, such as a CT scan or MRI scan
• a bone biopsy – where a surgeon removes a small sample of bone so it can be sent to a lab and checked for cancer
• blood tests
• a bone marrow biopsy

Bone marrow is a spongy substance inside bones.

During a bone marrow biopsy, a thin needle is used to remove some bone marrow cells, usually from your hip. The sample is checked for cancer.

Find out more

Cancer Research UK: tests to diagnose bone cancer

Getting your results

Your specialist should let you know when you can expect to get the results of the bone biopsy. They will be sent to the GP or the hospital where you had the procedure.

It should take about 2 weeks for the results to come back, but sometimes it might be longer.

Try not to worry if your results are taking longer than you expect. It does not mean anything is wrong.

You can call the hospital or GP if you're worried. They should be able to update you.

A specialist will explain what the results mean and what will happen next. You may want to bring someone with you for support.

If you're told you have bone cancer

Being told you have bone cancer can feel overwhelming. You may be feeling anxious about what will happen next.

It can help to bring someone with you to any appointments you have.

A group of specialists will look after you throughout your diagnosis, during and after treatment.

Your team will include a clinical nurse specialist who will be your main point of contact during and after treatment.

You can ask them any questions you have.

Get support

Sarcoma UK has a free support line that's open 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays).

Call 0808 801 0401

Text 07860 058830

Email supportline@sarcoma.org.uk

Find out more about the Sarcoma UK Support Line

Next steps

If you've been told you have bone cancer, your test results will show:

how big the cancer is and how far it's spread (called the stage)
how abnormal the cells look under a microscope (called the grade)

The stage and grade of your cancer will help your specialist decide what treatment you need.

Find out more

Cancer Research UK: stages and grades of bone cancer

Treatment