Bone cancer can develop in any bone of the
body, but it most commonly affects the pelvis and the long bones of the arms and legs. Bone
cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all cancers. Noncancerous (benign) bone
tumors are far more common than malignant bone tumors.
The term bone cancer refers specifically to cancers that originate in the bone. It does not
include cancers that begin in other parts of the body and later spread (metastasize) to the
bones. In such cases, the cancer is named after the organ where it started, such as breast
cancer that has spread to the bone.
Some types of bone cancer occur more frequently in children and adolescents, while others
are more commonly diagnosed in adults. Early diagnosis and specialized treatment are
important for achieving better outcomes.