Bone cancer

There are different types of bone cancer. Your doctor or specialist nurse can tell you more about which type you have. The most common types are:

• osteosarcoma
• chondrosarcoma
• Ewing sarcoma
• chordoma.

We have more information about different types of bone cancer.

The exact causes of primary bone cancer are not known. Many bone cancers affect teenagers and young adults. This might mean that bone cancer is related to changes that happen in growing bones. But for most people with bone cancer, it is not clear why it has developed.

Certain things can affect the chances of developing a bone sarcoma. These are called risk factors. Having a risk factor does not mean you will get sarcoma and people without risk factors can still develop it.

We have more information about the causes of bone sarcoma.

The results of your tests give your cancer doctor information about:

• the stage of the cancer – its size and whether it has spread outside the bone
• the grade of the cancer – how the cancer cells look under the microscope, which gives an idea of how the cancer might grow or spread.

The grading and staging of primary bone cancer is complex. Your cancer doctor or specialist nurse will talk to you about this and explain how it may help plan your treatment.

We have more information about staging and grading bone cancer.

Many people recover well after treatment for primary bone cancer. Some people take longer and need extra help. Before you go home, the hospital staff will talk to you about your recovery.

If you are worried about going home, talk to the hospital staff before you leave. They can arrange any help and support you might need at home.

After your treatment finishes, you will have regular check-ups with your cancer doctor or specialist nurse. They will tell you how often and for how long you will need to have these. It will depend on the type of treatment you had and the risk of the cancer coming back.

You may have regular tests to check for any signs of the cancer coming back, including chest x-rays. You may also have regular blood tests. Some people may have MRI scans. If you have had chemotherapy, you may have regular scans to check your heart for a few years.

If you notice any new symptoms, or have any problems between appointments, contact your cancer doctor or specialist nurse for advice.

Many people find they get nervous before their appointments. You may worry about the cancer coming back. This is natural. It can help to get support from family, friends or your specialist nurse. Or you can speak to our cancer support specialists.

We have more information about follow-up care after treatment.

Late effects are side effects that do not improve, or that develop years after treatment has finished. Your doctor or nurse will explain any likely late effects of your treatment. Always tell them if you have any new symptoms, or if side effects are not improving.

Sometimes you may have swelling of a limb or of another area of the body near to where you have had treatment. This might be due to a side effect of treatment, called lymphoedema. It sometimes happens after surgery or radiotherapy to the lymph nodes and might develop months or years after treatment. There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of lymphoedema.

If treatment has changed your appearance it can affect how you think and feel about your body. This is called your body image. You may have scars from surgery, or surgery to a limb may have caused changes in how you move. If you have had an arm or leg removed, the change to your body may be difficult to accept and adapt to.

Talk to your nurse if you are finding it difficult to cope with body changes.

Cancer and its treatments may affect your sex life and how you feel about yourself sexually. This often gradually improves after treatment. If you are worried talk to your doctor or nurse. You can read about things that can help in our information on cancer and sex.

Even if you already have a healthy lifestyle, you may choose to make some positive lifestyle changes during and after treatment.

Eating well and keeping active can improve your health and well-being. It can also help your body recover.

After finishing treatment, you may still be coping with difficult feelings. Talking to your family and friends or health professionals about how you feel can help to support your well-being.

Organisations such as Sarcoma UK and the Bone Cancer Research Trust can provide information and support. Cancer52 works to improve the quality of life for people with rare cancers.

Macmillan is also here to support you. If you would like to talk, you can:

• call the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00
• chat to our specialists online
• visit our bone cancer forum to talk with people who have been affected by bone cancer, share your experience, and ask an expert your questions.

For many people with early-stage bone cancer that has not started to spread, it will never come back after treatment.

If the cancer comes back in the lungs or in a bone, it is sometimes possible to have an operation to remove it. Chemotherapy may be given before and after the operation.

If it is not possible to cure the cancer, treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy may be given. The aim is to control the cancer for as long as possible and to help relieve symptoms.