Bone tumors

Tumor - bone

Benign bone tumors may not require treatment, but may be looked at regularly to check if they grow or shrink. Surgical removal of the tumor may be necessary.

Treatment for malignant tumors that have spread to the bone depends on the primary tissue or organ involved. Radiation therapy with chemotherapy or hormone therapy is often used.

Tumors that start in the bone (primary malignant tumors of the bone) are rare and require treatment at centers with experience treating these cancers. After biopsy, a combination of chemotherapy and surgery is usually necessary. Radiation therapy may be needed before or after surgery.

You can often help the stress of illness by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. For this condition, see cancer - support group.

The outlook depends on the type of tumor. The outcome is expected to be good for people with noncancerous (benign) tumors, although some types of benign tumors may eventually become cancerous (malignant).

With malignant bone tumors that have not spread, most patients achieve a cure. Because the cure rate depends on the type of cancer, location, size, and other factors, discuss your situation with your doctor.

• Pain
• Reduced function, depending on the extent of the tumor
• Side effects of chemotherapy (depending on the type of chemotherapy)
• Spread of the cancer to other nearby tissues (metastasis)

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of a bone tumor.