Cancer Care Network

Bone Cancer

MaineHealth cancer specialists offer the experience and skill to care for adults and children facing a bone cancer diagnosis. Treatment is most often coordinated among a team of specialists that specialize in bone and other soft tissue tumors.

What is bone cancer?

Bone cancer is a cancerous tumor that destroys normal bone tissue. It is rare and accounts for less than 1 percent of all cancers. Most bone tumors are not cancerous.

What are bone cancer risks and symptoms?

Bone cancer is a very rare cancer and may result from an inherited condition. Bone cancer rarely is a consequence of radiation therapy, and even in a rarer circumstance from the abnormal healing of an injury.  Pain or swelling in or near a bone is a primary symptom of bone cancer and other conditions. But sometimes there is no pain with bone cancer.

What are the diagnostic tests for bone cancer?

  • X-rays

  • Bone scans

  • CT or CAT scan

  • MRI

  • PET

  • Biopsy

  • Blood test.

Patients May Have a Combination of Treatments

Surgery is the usual treatment to remove the tumor from the affected bone. Surgery is often combined with other cancer therapies, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Patient navigators are here to help

Patient navigators partner with you on your journey toward recovery by providing the help and resources you need.