Malignant bone tumors may originate in the bone itself (primary bone cancer) or occur as a result of cancer spreading from elsewhere in the body (secondary, or metastatic, bone cancer). The main types of primary cancer are known medically as osteosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, and chondrosarcoma.
Their cause is unknown. Symptoms for all types of bone cancer may include persistent, gradually worsening bone pain; swelling and inflammation over the affected area of bone; fever; fatigue; and weight loss.
Treatment is usually with a combination of surgery to remove the cancerous part of the bone, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Sometimes, amputation is necessary.
Secondary bone cancer most commonly affects the spine, pelvis, ribs, or skull. It is most often due to the spread of breast, lung , prostate , thyroid, or kidney cancer .
The main symptom is gnawing bone pain. Cancer affecting the spine may also cause a collapse of the vertebrae, which may lead to weakness or paralysis of a limb. Treatment is directed primarily at the underlying primary cancer.