Where does bone cancer usually start?

Where does bone cancer usually start?

It depends on which type of bone cancer you have. There are four types of primary bone cancer:

• Osteosarcoma: The most common type of bone cancer, osteosarcoma develops in the cells where new bone tissue forms. It can start in any bone, but it usually begins at the ends of large bones such as the arms and legs. Providers most commonly diagnose osteosarcoma in children and teenagers.
• Ewing sarcoma: Named for the doctor who first described this type of bone cancer, Ewing sarcoma includes many different tumors that have similar qualities and are believed to begin in the same types of cells. These tumors can form in the bones and in surrounding soft tissues. Ewing sarcoma most commonly grows in the hips, ribs and shoulder blades, or on long bones such as the legs.
• Chondrosarcoma: Chondrosarcoma begins in tissue called cartilage. Cartilage is a soft connective tissue that allows movement between bones and joints. Some cartilage becomes bone when the body adds calcium to it. This cancer typically forms in the arm, leg or pelvis bones. Unlike osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, chondrosarcoma occurs more frequently in adults than in younger people.
• Chordoma: This rare tumor begins in the bones of the spine — usually at the base of the spine or the base of the skull. Like chondrosarcoma, chordoma occurs most often in older adults. Men are more likely than women to develop this type of bone cancer.