Primary bone cancer

If you’re affected by primary bone cancer (bone sarcoma), you may have many questions about how it is diagnosed, treatment options, side effects and how to stay well. You can find trustworthy information about all aspects of your experience below.

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What is primary bone cancer?

Primary bone cancer means that the cancer starts in a bone. It may develop on the surface, in the outer layer or from the centre of the bone.

Symptoms

Learn about the common symptoms of primary bone cancer and when to see your doctor.

Getting diagnosed

Find out about the tests for primary bone cancer, how it is diagnosed and staged, and who will provide your care.

Treating primary bone cancer

The treatment of primary bone cancer is complex and requires specialist care.

Life after treatment

Learn about follow-up care, what happens if the cancer returns, and how to look after your physical and mental health.

Questions for your doctorAsking your doctor questions will help you make informed decisions. Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask.

What type of bone cancer do I have?
What treatment do you recommend and why?
How can I find a specialist treatment centre?
What is the prognosis?
If I have surgery, what are the side effects?
Do I need an amputation?
If I have to travel for treatment, is there any government funding available to help with the cost?
Are there any clinical trials I could join?
If the cancer has spread outside the bone, what treatment options are available for me?
How often will I need check-ups after treatment?
If the cancer comes back, how will I know?

For information on cancer that has started in another part of the body and spread to the bone (bone metastases), see secondary bone cancer.

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This information was last updated in January 2023. See who reviewed this content.

Prof Peter Choong AO, Orthopaedic Surgeon, and Sir Hugh Devine Professor, St Vincent’s Hospital, and Head of Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, VIC; Catherine Chapman, Adolescent and Young Adult and Sarcoma Cancer Specialist Nurse, Division of Cancer and Ambulatory Support, Canberra Hospital, ACT; A/Prof Paul Craft AM, Medical Oncologist, Canberra Hospital and Australian National University, ACT; Belinda Fowlie, Bone Tumour Nurse Practitioner Candidate, SA Bone and Soft Tissue Tumour Unit, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Prof Angela Hong, Radiation Oncologist, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, and Clinical Professor, The University of Sydney, NSW; Vicki Moss, Nurse Practitioner, SA Bone and Soft Tissue Tumour Unit, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; A/Prof and Dr Marianne Phillips, Paediatric and Adolescent Oncologist and Palliative Care Physician, Perth Children’s Hospital, WA; Chris Sibthorpe, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Queensland; Stephanie Webster, Consumer.

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