Bone cancer is most common in children and the elderly.
Most of the time the cancer develops in the long bones of the body, specifically around the knee, but also may appear in the hip, shoulder or jaw.
One rare bone cancer is known as
Ewing's sarcoma, which refers to a type of cancer found around the pelvis, ribs and bones of the upper arm and leg.
Other types of cancer found in or around bones are chondrosarcoma and soft tissue sarcoma.
We have cancer specialists who are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of bone and joint cancers.
Treatments
The treatment of bone cancer depends on the size and location of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread and the person's overall health.
Because osteosarcoma tends to spread, full-body treatment is common. A team of Marshfield Clinic Health System specialists will work with the patient to determine the best treatment plan.
Surgery
In cases where the cancer starts in the arms and legs, the primary surgery option is to remove the cancer without removing the limb. In some cases, amputation is necessary.
When the cancer originates in the skull, spine or pelvis, surgery may not be an option.
Learn more about surgical oncology
Chemotherapy
In the case of osteosarcoma,
chemotherapy is often used prior to surgery to shrink the tumor and after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. Chemotherapy is commonly used in the treatment of osteosarcoma.
Learn more about medical oncology/hematology
Find a medical oncologist/hematologist