The common bone cancer symptom is pain at the site of the cancer. The pain can be very severe and ache-like and a lump may be detectable on the bone surface.

The cancer typically also weakens the bone to the point it may become very frail and fracture under very little stress.

Most bone tumors are non-cancerous and are not malignant and are typically removed surgically.

In children most cancerous bone tumors are primary (arising within the bone itself) while in adults most are secondary or metastatic (having spread from cancers elsewhere in the body).

Typically bone cancer does not affect bones within the lower arm and lower leg (below elbow or below the knee).

Multiple myeloma is the most common form of bone tumor. Other types are osteosarcoma, fibrosarcomas, malignant fibrous histiocytomas, chondrosarcomas, Ewing’s sarcoma and reticulum call sarcoma.

Osteosarcoma generally occurs between the age of 10 and 25 and is more prevalent in males than in females. Osteoosarcoma is most commonly found in the long bones of the arms or legs. Ewing’s sarcoma is a tumor most commonly seen in ages 10 and 25 years of age that develops in the shaft (middle portion) of large bones, such as the hip bones, the long bones of the legs and upper arms, and the ribs. Chondrosarcomas on the other hand is the bone tumor that is found mainly in adults. Fibrosarcomas is more rare than other forms throughout all ages.

Bone tumor symptoms:

• severe, aching pain
• abnormal lump on surface of bone
• fracture of bone under very little stress

Diagnosis is typically achieved through a preliminary imaging technique (x-ray, MRI, CT scan) and then confirmed with a tissue biopsy.

Treatment is typically surgical along with chemotherapy and/or radiation, depending on the cancer type. Surgery may also be necessary to support the weak bone.