Bone cancer is characterized by formation of malignant tumors in the tissues of the bone. The following article describes the different types of bone cancers.

The human body has a total of 206 different bones, which provide shape and structure to the body, as well as support and protect the organs such as brain, heart and lungs. Bone cancer affects more than 2,000 people in the United States every year, and is more commonly found in children and adolescents, than in adults. It occurs due to malignant growth in the bone, which destroys normal bone tissues.

Primary Bone Cancer

Malignant tumor that begins in the bone tissue is known as primary bone cancer. There are different types of primary bone cancer such as Ewing's sarcoma, osteosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, chondrosarcoma, chordoma, and fibrosarcoma.

• Osteosarcoma mostly affects men between 10 and 25 years of age. It mainly affects the long bones of arms and legs, especially in the areas of rapid growth, namely the knees and the shoulders. This type of cancer is very aggressive with a high risk of metastasis to the lungs.
• Chondrosarcoma originates from the cartilage cells present in the connective tissues of the body. It is most commonly found in people over 40 years of age. It mostly affects the bones of hips and pelvis.
• Ewing's sarcoma is the most aggressive type of bone tumor. It occurs mostly in children between 4-15 years of age, and mainly affects the central tissues of the long bones of arms and legs.
• Fibrosarcoma is a very rare type of bone tumor. It occurs in the soft tissues present in the region behind the knees. It affects the people of 35-55 years of age.
• Malignant fibrous histiocytoma occurs in soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It generally occurs in 50-60-year-old people. It mainly affects the extremities.
• Chordoma is a rare type of tumor that affects the upper or lower end of the spinal column. It occurs mostly in people over 30 years of age.

Various treatment options for primary bone cancer are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.

Secondary Bone Cancer

This type of bone cancer is very common, and caused by metastasis. It refers to a cancer that orginiates in some other organ or tissue, and spreads to the bones. When a person suffers from lung cancer, breast cancer or prostate cancer, the cancerous cells migrate to bone and progress to bone cancer. This bone tumor shows the presence of abnormal cells resembling the tissue of origin.

In addition, lymphoma and multiple myeloma are the common types of bone cancer, which develop in the bone marrow.

Pain is one of the most common symptoms of bone cancer. Other signs and symptoms include weakened bones, fatigue, fever, swelling and tenderness in joints, anemia, and weight loss. Bones weakened due to bone tumor are more susceptible to fractures.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.