Causes
The cause of primary bone cancer is unknown. Genetics play a major role in most cases. Conditions that cause increased bone breakdown and regeneration over an extended period of time increase the risk of tumor development. This explains why osteosarcoma in children is most common during the adolescent growth spurt.
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
The following factors increase your chance of developing bone cancer:
- Paget's disease (a noncancerous bone condition)
- Exposure to radiation
- Injury to a bone (It has not yet been confirmed that this is a risk factor.)
- Family history of bone cancer
In addition, the following are risk factors specific to certain types of bone cancer:
Osteosarcoma
- Age: 10 to 30
- Sex: male
- Inherited cancer syndromes, including Li-Fraumani and Rothmund-Thompson syndromes
- Retinoblastoma (a rare eye cancer)
- Bone marrow transplantation
Chondrosarcoma
- Age: older than 20
- Multiple exostoses (an inherited condition that results in bumps on bones)
Ewing’s sarcoma
- Age: younger than 30
Fibrosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma
- Age: middle-aged and elderly
Giant cell tumor
- Age: young and middle-aged
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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