bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Overview of Bone Tumors
Introduction
Bone tumors are growths of abnormal cells in bones. Bone tumors may be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). Cancerous tumors may start in the bone (primary cancer) or start in other organs (such as the breast or prostate) and spread to the bone (metastatic cancer). Tumors may cause unexplained, progressively worsening bone pain, swelling, or a tendency to fracture easily. The diagnosis is sometimes based on the results of an imaging test (such as x-ray, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging) but often requires removing a tissue sample of the tumor or bone for examination under a microscope (biopsy). Bone tumors may be noncancerous or cancerous and primary or metastatic. the bone. Primary Cancerous Bone Tumors may be noncancerous or cancerous. (metastasize) the bone from other areas in the body (for example, from the breast or prostate gland—see also Spread ). most bone tumors are primary and noncancerous. Some bone tumors (such as Osteosarcomas (osteogenic sarcoma) and most cancerous bone tumors are metastatic. Overall, noncancerous bone tumors are relatively common, but cancerous primary bone tumors are rare, occurring in only about 3,900 people yearly in the United States. This number does not include Multiple myeloma , a cancer that develops in the marrow inside the bone rather than in the hard bone tissue that makes up the bone. Although benign bone tumors do not metastasize, some types grow rapidly and destroy nearby tissues. 