Bone makes up the framework of the body, protecting organs and functioning as levers so the body can move. The outer portion of the bone is hard and dense. Bones are hollow and filled inside with a spongy material, called marrow, which produce and store the blood cells. Bones also store some of the essential minerals of the body, such as calcium.

 
The most common type of bone cancer is secondary bone cancer (metastasis). This cancer spreads to the bone from cancer of another organ, such as lung, breast or prostate. Cancer that originates in the bone is primary bone cancer. There are many different forms of primary bone cancer, which is rare. Only 2,500 new cases of primary bone cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States. Primary bone cancer is different from secondary bone cancer.

Not all bone tumors are malignant (cancerous). Benign (non-cancerous) bone tumors, which are more common, do not spread to other organs and are not life-threatening.

The most common primary bone cancer is osteosarcoma, also known as osteogenic sarcoma. Most cases of osteosarcoma occur in children and adolescents and affects males more than females. Tumors are most often found in large bones of the arms or legs. Most often the tumor develops in the bones that form the knee.

Chondrosarcoma is a cancer of the cartilage. It is the second most common primary bone cancer. Most frequently found in middle-aged adults, chondrosarcoma is rarely found in those under the age of 20. Men and women are at equal risk. This cancer commonly occurs in the pelvis, arms and legs, although it can also occur in the ribs and some other bones.

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