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Bone Cancer
When you come to Miami Cancer Institute for bone cancer treatment, you can expect to be treated like family. Whether you are walking through our doors for the first time or you are familiar with our Institute, we pay close attention to your well-being through every step of treatment.
Our orthopedic cancer specialists provide advanced, personalized treatments using the latest technology. Miami Cancer Institute has the only proton-beam radiation therapy program in South Florida. This advanced cancer therapy provides more precise radiation treatment for patients. Our oncologists also regularly collaborate with radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, interventional oncologists, and sarcoma and orthopedic experts, to find the most effective treatment for your type of cancer.
Miami Cancer Institute’s alliance with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center also gives our patients access to more precise diagnoses and some of the best bone cancer treatments in the world.
Each individualized cancer care plan includes innovative treatments and support services, including psychosocial services, physical therapy and pain management. Not only do we strive to find the treatment that is right for your cancer, we also want to develop the treatment that is right for you as a patient.
What is bone cancer?
Bone cancer is an abnormal growth of malignant cells that occurs in the long bones of the arms and legs, or in the bones of the pelvis, spine and ribs.
What are the types of bone cancer?
Primary bone tumors or bone cancers that develop first in the bone are rare in adults and most often affect children and young adults. More commonly, bone cancer results from cancer cells that develop in other areas of the body and spread to the bone. This type of bone cancer, metastatic bone cancer, typically spreads from the lung, prostate, breast, thyroid and kidneys. It’s important to differentiate between the different types of bone cancer, because each has its own specific treatment and prognosis.
The most common types of bone cancer include:
- Osteosarcoma – This is the most common type of bone cancer and usually starts at the ends of bones. It usually affects children and young adults.
- Chondrosarcoma – This type of bone sarcoma forms in cartilage and is most often found in the pelvis, knees, upper thighs or shoulders.
- Ewing sarcoma – These tumors usually form in the middle of the bone and most often affect the thigh bone, ribs and upper arms. They mainly affect children and young adults.
Other, rare forms of bone cancer include:
- Fibrosarcoma – This bone cancer usually occurs in the hips or knees, occasionally after radiation therapy for anther cancer.
- Adamantinoma – These tumors usually start in the shin bone and are more frequent in young females.
- Chordoma – This type of bone sarcoma usually starts in the lower part of the spine near the tailbone.
Types of non-cancerous bone tumors can include:
- Enchondromas – These growths usually form in the cartilage of the bones.
- Giant cell tumors – These tumors usually start in the knees and often affect women and young adults.
- Osteoid osteoma – This is a non-cancerous tumor that usually develops in the long bones of the body, such as the shin bone or the thigh bone. These types of tumors do not spread to other parts of the body.
- Fibrous dysplasia – This is a condition where abnormal tissue, usually fibrotic scar tissue, forms in place of a normal bone. This condition can cause bones to weaken and fracture or become deformed.
- Aneurysmal bone cyst – This is a lesion on the bone that is usually filled with blood.
What are the risk factors for bone cancer?
If you have a family history of bone cancer, it may mean that you are at a higher risk for developing the disease. Certain inherited, or genetic, conditions have been linked to a higher risk for bone cancer, including:
- Retinoblastoma
- Multiple osteochondromas
- Tuberous sclerosis
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Rothmund-Thompson syndrome
Other risk factors for bone cancer include:
- Having had radiation therapy for other cancers.
- Having Paget disease.
What can you do to prevent bone cancer?
Unfortunately, most of the risk factors for bone cancer are uncontrollable and therefore, there is no way to lower your risk.
Some studies suggest you can lower your overall risk for cancer by:
- Exercising regularly.
- Eating a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy. Talk with your doctor or a nutritionist about what you should include in a healthy diet.
- Keeping a healthy weight. Ask your doctor what a healthy weight is for you.
- Asking your doctor about genetic testing and screening recommendations if you have an inherited disease that increases your risk for cancer.
- Not using tobacco. Speak with your doctor if you need help quitting.
Together we’re unstoppable.
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