A bone tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within the bone that may be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).
The cause of bone tumors is unknown. They often arise in areas of rapid growth. Possible causes include:
Osteochondromas are the most common noncancerous (benign) bone tumors, and occur most often in people between the ages of 10 and 20. Some benign bone tumors go away on their own and do not require treatment. These benign tumors may be monitored periodically by x-ray.
Cancers that start in the bones are referred to as primary bone tumors. Cancers that start in another part of the body (such as the breast, lungs, or colon) are secondary or metastatic bone tumors that behave very differently from primary bone tumors. Multiple myeloma often affects or involves the bone, but is also not considered a primary bone tumor.
Cancerous (malignant) bone tumors include:
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
- Inherited genetic mutations
- Radiation
- Trauma
Osteochondromas are the most common noncancerous (benign) bone tumors, and occur most often in people between the ages of 10 and 20. Some benign bone tumors go away on their own and do not require treatment. These benign tumors may be monitored periodically by x-ray.
Cancers that start in the bones are referred to as primary bone tumors. Cancers that start in another part of the body (such as the breast, lungs, or colon) are secondary or metastatic bone tumors that behave very differently from primary bone tumors. Multiple myeloma often affects or involves the bone, but is also not considered a primary bone tumor.
Cancerous (malignant) bone tumors include:
- Chondrosarcoma
- Ewing's sarcoma
- Fibrosarcoma
- Osteosarcomas
- Breast
- Kidney
- Lung
- Prostate
- Thyroid
