Bone tumors

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Ewings sarcoma - X-ray

Osteogenic sarcoma - X-ray

Skeleton

X-ray

Tumor - bone

Benign bone tumors may not require treatment, but may be looked at regularly, to check if they grow or shrink. Surgical removal of the tumor may be necessary.

Treatment for malignant tumors that have spread to the bone depends on the primary tissue or organ involved. Radiation therapy with chemotherapy or hormone therapy is often used.

Primary malignant tumors of the bone (tumors that start in the bone) are rare and require treatment at centers with experience treating these cancers. After biopsy, a combination of chemotherapy and surgery is usually necessary. Radiation therapy may be needed before or after surgery.

The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. For this condition, see cancer - support group.

The outlook depends on the type of tumor. The outcome is expected to be good for people with benign tumors, although some types of benign tumors may eventually become malignant.

With malignant bone tumors that have not spread, most patients achieve a cure. Because the cure rate depends on the type of cancer, location, size, and other factors, the prognosis in particular situations should be discussed with your doctor.

• Pain
• Function may be reduced depending on the extent of the tumor
• Spread of the cancer to other nearby tissues (metastasis)
• Side effects of chemotherapy (if necessary) depend on the specific chemotherapy given

Call your health care provider if symptoms develop that are suggestive of bone tumors.

Review Date: 05/26/2006
Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided byVeriMed Healthcare Network.