What is bone cancer?

Last medical review:

A tumour can start in or on the surface of a bone. Bone tumours can be non-cancerous, such as bone cysts, osteochondroma, giant cell tumour of bone and osteoid osteoma.

But in some cases, bone tumours are cancerous. A cancerous (malignant) tumour is a group of cancer cells that can grow into nearby tissue and destroy it. The cancer cells can also spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

When cancer starts in or on the surface of a bone, it is called primary bone cancer. Primary bone cancer is rare in adults over the age of 40. It is more common in children, adolescents and young adults. Find out more about childhood bone cancers.

Types of bone cancer

The most common cancerous bone tumours in adults are chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. Chondrosarcoma and osteosarcoma are most often found in bones in the legs, arms or pelvis (hip). Ewing sarcoma is most often found in the bones of the pelvis, legs, arms, ribs, spine or skull.

Chordoma is a rare type of bone cancer that can also develop in the bones of the skull or spine.

Bone metastases

Other types of cancer can spread to the bone, but they are not the same disease as primary bone cancer. Cancer that starts in another part of the body and spreads to the bone is called bone metastasis or secondary bone cancer. This is much more common than primary bone cancer. Find out more about bone metastases.

Expert review and references

  • Michael Monument, MD, MSc, FRCSC
  • Kim Tsoi, BASc, MD, PhD, FRCSC
  • Strauss SJ, Frezza AM, Abecassis N, et al. Bone sarcomas: ESMO–EURACAN–GENTURIS–ERN PaedCan Clincial Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Annals of Oncology. 2021: 32(12):1520–1536.
  • American Cancer Society. Bone Cancer. 2021. https://www.cancer.org/.
  • O'Donnell RJ, DuBrois SG, Haas-Kogan DA, Braunstein SE, Hameed M. Sarcomas of Bone. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg S. eds. DeVita Hellman and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2023: Kindle version, chapter 61, https://read.amazon.ca/?asin=B0BG3DPT4Q&language=en-CA.
  • Martini FH, Tallitsch RB, Nath JL. Human Anatomy. 9th ed. New York, NY: Pearson; 2018.
  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Bone Cancer. 2023.

The bones

Bone cancer starts in or on the surface of a bone. Bone is a strong and stiff connective tissue made up of minerals and collagen. It carries out many important functions in the body.

Cancerous tumours of the bone

Chondrosarcoma is the most common type of cancerous bone tumour in adults. Osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma are other common types. Chordoma is a rare cancerous bone tumour.

Non-cancerous tumours of the bone

Bone cysts and osteochondroma are the most common non-cancerous tumours of the bone. Other non-cancerous tumours can also develop in the bone.

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