Rare Cancers Australia
Services offered
Cancer information
Support from cancer nurses
Support from other health professionals
+6
Overview
Primary bone cancer means that the cancer starts on the surface, in the outer layer or in the centre of the bone. Primary bone cancer is rare; about 270 Australians are diagnosed every year.
There are more than 30 types of primary bone cancer. The most common types are osteosarcoma, which begins in the cells that grow bone tissue, and chondrosarcoma, which begins in the cells that grow cartilage.
Learn about the bones and the other types of bone cancer below.
What’s on this page
The bones
A typical healthy person has over 200 bones, which:
- support and protect internal organs
- are attached to muscles to allow movement
- contain bone marrow, which makes and stores new blood cells
- store nutrients, such as calcium.
Bone structure
Bones are made up of different parts, including a hard outer layer (known as cortical bone) and an inner core (known as trabecular bone).
The bone marrow is found in this inner core.
Cartilage is the tough material at the end of each bone that allows one bone to move against another at a joint.
Bones of the body
Bones commonly affected by primary bone cancer include the spine, ribs, pelvis and upper bones of the arms (humerus) and legs (femur).
What is bone cancer?
Bone cancer can start as either a primary or secondary cancer. The 2 types are different and this section is only about primary bone cancer.
Primary bone cancer
This means that the cancer starts in a bone. It may develop on the surface, in the outer layer or from the centre of the bone. As a tumour grows, cancer cells multiply and destroy the bone. If left untreated, primary bone cancer can spread to other parts of the body.
Types of primary bone cancer
There are more than 30 types of primary bone cancer. The most common types are:
Osteosarcoma (about 35% of bone cancers)
Osteosarcoma (about 35% of bone cancers)
- starts in cells that grow bone tissue
- often affects the arms, legs or pelvis, but may occur in any bone
- occurs most often in teenagers with growing bones, and older people in their 70s and 80s
- most are high-grade tumours
Chondrosarcoma (about 30% of bone cancers)
Chondrosarcoma (about 30% of bone cancers)
- starts in cells that grow cartilage
- often affects the bones in the upper arms and legs, pelvis, ribs or shoulder blades
- most often occurs in adults aged over 40
- slow growing; rare types can spread to other parts of the body
- most are low-grade tumours
Ewing sarcoma (about 15% of bone cancers)
Ewing sarcoma (about 15% of bone cancers)
- affects cells in the bone or soft tissue that multiply rapidly
- often affects the pelvis, legs, ribs, spine or upper arms
- most common in children and young adults
- are high-grade tumours
Cancer that affects the soft tissues around the bones is known as soft tissue sarcoma, and may be treated differently.
Secondary (metastatic) bone cancer
This means that the cancer started in another part of the body (e.g. breast, lung) and has spread to the bone. For more information, see Secondary bone cancer.
How common is bone cancer?
Primary bone cancer is rare. About 270 Australians are diagnosed with primary bone cancer each year. It affects people of all ages, but most often occurs in people aged 10–25 and over 50.
Relevant support
Read cancer information
Trusted cancer information for all people affected by cancer
Need to talk to someone?
We're available 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)