Bone cancer is a rare but serious condition that starts in the bone cells. Any bone can be affected, although it most often occurs in the thighbone. There are two types of bone cancer: primary, which starts in the bone itself, and secondary or metastatic, starting from another part of the body and spreading to bones.
While primary bone cancer is relatively uncommon, secondary bone cancer is more common, as cancers of the breast, prostate, and lung frequently metastasize to bone. Treatment varies depending upon the specific type of bone cancer, its location, and patient factors and usually involves combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Prevalence of Bone Cancer
With less than 1% of cancer cases worldwide, primary bone cancer is relatively rare. It is far less common for cancers to begin in the bones and then perhaps spread elsewhere than it is for cancers to start in another part of the body and then spread to the bones. Osteosarcoma is the most common type of primary bone cancer, particularly in children and adolescents, while chondrosarcoma is more common in adults.
Bone Cancer Survival Statistics
Survival rates for bone cancer depend upon the kind, stage, and site of this cancer. According to recent data, the 5-year relative survival rate for bone cancer is roughly about 68.2% for all types and stages. As regards specific types, survival varies:
- Osteosarcoma: Over 80% survive for 1 year, and approximately 60% for 5 years.
- Chondrosarcoma: 90% survive for 1 year, and around 80% survive for 5 years. [3]
These overall survival rates depend on a number of variables, including the tumor location, stage of diagnosis, and body response to treatment.
Bone Cancer Costs
Bone cancer treatment is extremely costly, actually highly variable, based on the type of malignancy a patient has, the stage of their illness, and the treatments specifically utilized in the management. Indeed, for one patient alone, the cost may reach over $100,000 if surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation need to be given together. [4] These figures are based on U.S. data and may vary significantly in other regions.
Other drivers of the cost may include expensive imaging, frequent follow-ups, and complications. This makes the importance of comprehensive care planning and support necessary for these patients with bone cancer.
Where to Find More Bone Cancer Information
Currently, there aren’t any well-known websites specifically dedicated to only bone cancer information. However, the resources listed below provide comprehensive content on bone cancer, making them the best go-to sources for understanding the disease in-depth:
Best Websites for Research Stats
- National Cancer Institute (NIH)
The NIH (a US-based Website) has an all-inclusive informative and credible overview of bone cancer, further subdivided into causes, treatment, screening, and test links. The in-depth nature of the content is recommended for those seeking critical information. Visit Bone Cancer—Patient Version for more. [5]
- Healthline
Healthline has a more detailed, research-based discussion of bone cancer, including some types of cancers, causes, symptoms, and others. Well-structured, it makes difficult information easier to understand. Learn more at Bone Cancer: Types, Causes, Symptoms, and More. [6]
Best Websites for In-Depth Exploration
- American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society offers detailed content on bone cancer, including a few images. Their explanation of the types is especially thorough. Check out What Is Bone Cancer? for more. [7]
- Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic has highly organized and elaborative content about bone cancer, starting from symptoms to treatment. The clarity of its structure and the ease with which one can trace information make for a good and trustworthy source for further study. Visit Bone Cancer for more details. [8]
- NHS Inform
NHS Inform provides an overview of bone cancer, subdivided into sections on symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease. This makes it easy to find detailed information on specific aspects of the disease. Explore their resource on Bone Cancer. [9]
Best Websites for Quick Reads
- Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic has concise yet detailed, bulleted information on bone cancer. The ease of skimming through this page makes it efficient for a quick read and covers nearly all the important aspects one would want to know. See their page on Bone Cancer. [10]
- WebMD
WebMD offers a well-organized overview of bone cancer, covering the symptoms, causes, and treatments in a user-friendly format. It’s perfect for those seeking a comprehensive yet quick read. Visit Bone Cancer for more information. [11]
- The National Health Service (NHS)
The NHS (UK government’s health service site) has a clear outline of bone cancer, with separate sections related to its causes, symptoms, tests, and treatments. This makes finding any specific information that is being looked for pretty easy. Explore Bone Cancer on their site. [12]
- Cancer Council
This Australian site provides organized, concise sections on bone cancer, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. It’s a great resource for those who want structured yet concise content to understand the disease. Learn more at Bone Cancer. [13]
The Bottom Line
While bone cancer is extremely rare, early detection and appropriate treatment are essential for improving survival rates. How well you understand your diagnosis, consider treatment choices, and cope with treatment costs and other issues with your healthcare team may make a great difference in your journey through bone cancer. For more detailed information, refer to the reliable sources mentioned above.
Reference
- National Cancer Institute. “Bone and Joint Cancer – Cancer Stat Facts.” SEER, 2018, seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/bones.html.
- American Cancer Society. “Key Statistics about Bone Cancer | Bone Cancer Statistics.” Www.cancer.org, 12 Jan. 2023, www.cancer.org/cancer/types/bone-cancer/about/key-statistics.html.
- Cancer Research UK. “Survival | Bone Cancer | Cancer Research UK.” Cancerresearchuk.org, 2013, www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/bone-cancer/survival.
- “Economic Cost of Malignant Bone Tumors.” BMUS: The Burden of Musculoskeletal Diseases in the United States, www.boneandjointburden.org/2014-report/viiiab14/economic-cost-malignant-bone-tumors.
- “Bone Cancer.” National Cancer Institute, Cancer.gov, 2019, www.cancer.gov/types/bone.
- Macon , Brindles Lee . “Bone Cancer: Types, Causes & Symptoms.” Healthline, www.healthline.com/health/bone-cancer#causes.
- American Cancer Society. “Understanding Bone Cancer | American Cancer Society.” Www.cancer.org, 17 June 2021, www.cancer.org/cancer/types/bone-cancer/about/what-is-bone-cancer.html.
- Mayo Clinic. “Bone Cancer – Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bone-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20350217.
- “Bone Cancer Symptoms and Treatments.” NHS Inform, www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/cancer/cancer-types-in-adults/bone-cancer/.
- Cleveland Clinic. “Bone Cancer: Symptoms, Signs, Treatment, Causes & Stages.” Cleveland Clinic, 8 Nov. 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17745-bone-cancer.
- Stuart, Annie . “Bone Tumors: Cancerous and Benign.” WebMD, www.webmd.com/cancer/bone-tumors.
- NHS . “Overview – Bone Cancer.” NHS, 2019, www.nhs.uk/conditions/bone-cancer/.
- “Bone Cancer | Causes, Symptoms & Treatments.” Cancer.org.au, 2023, cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/bone-cancer.
