How are bone tumors formed?

Bone tumors develop when cells within a bone divide uncontrollably, forming a lump or mass of abnormal tissue. Most bone tumors are benign (not cancerous). Benign tumors are usually not life-threatening and, in most cases, will not spread to other parts of the body.

What is the cause of most bone tumors?

It’s not clear what causes bone cancer, but doctors have found certain factors are associated with an increased risk, including: Inherited genetic syndromes. Certain rare genetic syndromes passed through families increase the risk of bone cancer, including Li-Fraumeni syndrome and hereditary retinoblastoma.

What causes osteogenic sarcoma?

Most osteosarcomas are not caused by inherited gene mutations, but instead are the result of gene changes acquired during the person’s lifetime. Sometimes these gene changes are caused by radiation therapy used to treat another form of cancer, because radiation can damage the DNA inside cells.

How and why do tumors form?

It develops when cells in the body divide and grow at an excessive rate. Typically, the body is able to balance cell growth and division. When old or damaged cells die, they are automatically replaced with new, healthy cells. In the case of tumors, dead cells remain and form a growth known as a tumor.

Can you feel a bone tumor?

The earliest symptoms of bone sarcoma are pain and swelling where the tumor is located. The pain may come and go at first. Then it can become more severe and steady later. The pain may get worse with movement, and there may be swelling in nearby soft tissue.

Is a bone tumor hard or soft?

It appears as a hard, painless, stationary lump at the end of a bone, with a cartilage cap that allows it to continue to grow. A surgeon can remove this tumor if it begins to cause pain or if the bone is in danger of fracturing.

What is the most common benign bone tumor?

Osteochondromas are the most common, accounting for 30% to 35% of benign bone tumors. Giant cell tumors account for 20%, osteoblastomas for 14%, and osteoid osteomas for 12%. All others are less common.

What is the most common malignant bone tumor?

Osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma, two of the most common malignant bone tumors, are usually found in people age 30 or younger. In contrast, chondrosarcoma, malignant tumors that grow as cartilage-like tissue, usually occur after the age of 30. Malignant bone tumors include: Chondrosarcoma.

Who is most likely to get osteosarcoma?

The risk of osteosarcoma is highest for those between the ages of 10 and 30, especially during the teenage growth spurt. This suggests there may be a link between rapid bone growth and risk of tumor formation. The risk goes down in middle age, but rises again in older adults (usually over the age of 60).

Where does osteosarcoma usually start?

In children, teens, and young adults, osteosarcoma usually starts in areas where the bone is growing quickly, such as near the ends of the leg or arm bones: Most tumors develop in the bones around the knee, either in the lower part of the thigh bone (distal femur) or the upper part of the shinbone (proximal tibia).

Why do tumors occur?

When cells grow old or become damaged, they die, and new cells take their place. Sometimes this orderly process breaks down, and abnormal or damaged cells grow and multiply when they shouldn’t. These cells may form tumors, which are lumps of tissue.

Why do tumors grow?

Tumors grow because of a malfunction in cells’ DNA, mainly in genes that regulate cells’ ability to control their growth. Some damaged genes may also prevent bad cells from killing themselves to make room for new, healthy cells.

When does a bone tumor become a malignant tumor?

Bone tumors form when a bone cell divides uncontrollably and forms a mass or tumor. If the tumor remains confined and doesn’t spread into surrounding tissues, then it’s considered benign. But if the tumor invades into surrounding tissues and metastasizes or spreads through blood or lymph, then it’s considered malignant.

What kind of cancer starts in the bone marrow?

The most common cancer that starts in the bone marrow and causes bone tumors is called multiple myeloma. Another cancer that starts in the bone marrow is leukemia.

Where does bone cancer start in the body?

Bone cancer can begin in any bone in the body, but it most commonly affects the pelvis or the long bones in the arms and legs.

What kind of cancer does not form in bone cartilage?

A rare type of chondrosarcoma called extraskeletal chondrosarcoma does not form in bone cartilage. Instead, it forms in the soft tissues of the upper part of the arms and legs.