Treatments for childhood bone cancer

A child diagnosed with bone cancer will have a treatment plan created just for them by their healthcare team. The plan is based on your child’s health and specific information about the cancer. When deciding which treatments to offer for childhood bone cancer, the healthcare team will consider:

• the type of bone cancer
• the size of the tumour and where it is
• whether the cancer has spread
• your child’s age
• your child’s overall health
• your child’s lifestyle and what they prefer or want

Chemotherapy and surgery are often used to treat childhood bone cancer. Targeted therapy may be used for both osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. Radiation therapy may also be used for Ewing sarcoma.

Treatment is given in a pediatric cancer centre. The healthcare team includes several specialists such as radiologists, pediatric oncologists, pathologists, surgical or orthopedic oncologists and radiation oncologists. Other support staff are also available, such as nurses, child-life specialists, dietitians, physical therapists, social workers, fertility specialists and counsellors.

Find out more about your child’s healthcare team, helping your child cope and tips on managing your child’s care.