What are the different types of Primary Bone Cancer

The types of primary bone cancer are defined by which cells in the bone cause them.

Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma arises from bone-forming cells called osteoblasts in osteoid tissue (immature bone tissue). This tumor typically occurs in the arm near the shoulder and in the leg near the knee in children, adolescents, and young adults, but it can occur in any bone, especially in older adults. It often grows rapidly and spreads to other parts of the body, including the lungs. The risk of developing osteosarcoma is highest in children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19. Males have a higher risk than females of developing osteosarcoma. In children, osteosarcoma is more common in blacks and other racial/ethnic groups than in whites, but in adults it is more common in whites than in other racial/ethnic groups. People who have Paget's disease (a benign bone disease characterised by abnormal development of new bone cells) or previous radiation to their bones are also at increased risk of developing osteosarcoma.

Chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcoma begins in cartilage tissue. Cartilage is a type of connective tissue that covers the ends of bones and lines joints. Chondrosarcoma most commonly forms in the pelvis, thigh, and shoulder and is usually slow growing, although it can sometimes grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body. Chondrosarcoma occurs mainly in older adults (over age 40). The risk increases with age. A rare form of chondrosarcoma called extraskeletal chondrosarcoma does not form in bone cartilage. Instead, it forms in the soft tissues of the upper part of the arms and legs.

Ewing's sarcoma

Ewing's sarcoma usually forms in bone, but rarely can form in soft tissue (muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or other supporting tissue). Ewing sarcoma typically arises in the pelvis, legs, or ribs, but can arise in any bone in bone tumor. This tumour often grows quickly and spreads to other parts of the body, including the lungs. The risk of developing Ewing's sarcoma is highest in children and adolescents younger than 19. Boys are more likely to develop Ewing's sarcoma than girls. Ewing's sarcoma is much more common in whites than in blacks or Asians.

Chordoma

Several types of benign bone tumours can, in rare cases, become malignant and spread to other parts of the body. These include giant cell tumours of bone (also called osteoclastoma) and osteoblastomas. Giant cell tumours of the bone usually occur at the ends of the long bones of the arms and legs, often near the knee joint. These tumours, which typically occur in young and middle-aged adults, can be locally aggressive and destroy bone. In rare cases, they can spread (metastasize), often to the lungs. Osteoblastoma replaces normal hard bone tissue with a weaker form called osteoid. This tumour occurs mainly in the spine. It grows slowly and occurs in young and middle-aged adults. Rare cases have been reported in which this tumour became malignant.