Different Types of Bone Cancer
Bone cancer is a rare form of cancer which will affect more than 2700 people in 2006, and responsible for the deaths of 1,260. Cancerous cells develop in the bone cells and if untreated, may spread to other areas of the body. When cancer that develops in other organs or tissue, for example from the breast, lungs or prostate, spread to the bone it is often labeled bone cancer, but it is actually an instance of metastatic cancer. These cancer cells behave and look like the prostate cancer cells, lung cancer cells, or other cancer cells associated with a specific cancer.
Real bone cancers, however, are called sarcomas and there are several different types. The prognosis for survival and the success of treatment varies according to the type of bone cancer.
Primary bone cancer is divided into malignant and benign cancers. Benign bone cancers do not spread to other areas and are often treated successfully with surgery.
Osteosarcoma is the most common form of bone cancer which develops in the bone itself, most often in patients between the age of 10 and 30 and usually in the arms, legs, or pelvis.
Chondrosarcoma is a bone cancer which actually develops in the cartilage (softer bone in development). It is the second most common form of bone cancer.
Ewing tumors are cancers that develop in the cavity of the bone and are mostly associated with children and teenagers.
Another bone cancer occurring most often in elderly people, fibrous histiocytoma, which is another form of malignant bone cancer, develops in the connective tissues adjacent to the bone including ligaments, tendons, fat and muscle.
Chordoma is a tumor which develops in the base of the skull as well as in the bones of the spine.
Hereditary Causes of Bone cancer
A low percentage of bone cancers are inherited genetically from parents. There are some inherited childhood syndromes that appear to increase the risk of bone cancer. Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Rothmund-Thompson syndrome are associated with a high incidence of osteosarcoma.
These syndromes are associated with a mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene. People with multiple exostoses (an inherited condition associated with the appearance of bumps on the surface of the bones which result in a variety of complications) also have a slightly higher chance of developing bone cancer.
Other Diseases
Paget disease is a disease which affects the bones of elderly people. Abnormal bone tissue develops as a result of this condition, creating a variety of problems associated with weak bones that may fracture easily. People with Paget's disease are also more likely to develop osteosarcoma.
Radiation Exposure
It has been reported that high doses of radiation can trigger bone cancer. This is mostly associated with treatment for other cancers, especially when radiation treatment is applied to younger patients. Exposure to other radioactive materials, like radium or strontium, may trigger bone cancer as well due to the mineral buildup in the bones.
