Cancer arising in the bones is rare, according to the National Institutes of Health. The types of primary bone cancer listed by the National Cancer Institute are osteosarcoma, osteochondroma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma and Ewing's sarcoma. Secondary cancers, spread of cancer to the bone from other areas, are more common.
The cause of primary bone cancer is not fully known, but the possible causes and risk factors have been identified.
Genetic Disorders
According to the American Cancer Society, some types of bone cancer are hereditary. These types include osteosarcomas, chordomas and chondrosarcomas. Genetic diseases linked to the development of bone cancer are LI-Fraumeni syndrome, Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, retinoblastoma and multiple exostoses.
Paget's Disease
The ACS says that Paget's disease, a pre-cancerous condition seen mainly in the elderly, increases the risk for bone cancer. According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, fibrous dysplasia of the bones may also increase the risk of developing bone cancer.
Exposure to Radiation
MayoClinic.com states that exposure to radiation, especially at the doses used for cancer treatment, predisposes to future development of bone cancer. The cancer, usually an osteosarcoma, is likely to arise in the region targeted by the radiation treatment, says the ASCO.
According to the ACS, repeated exposure to radioactive metals, such as radium and strontium, also increases the risk of later development of bone cancer because these radioactive metals build up in bone.
Bone Marrow Transplantation
The ACS says that some cases of bone cancer have been found among bone marrow transplant recipients.
Multiple Enchondromatosis
Enchondromas, benign tumors of cartilage are said to increase the risk of developing bone cancer. The ACS says that people with many of these tumors may develop a chondrosarcoma.
Chemotherapy
The ASCO says that previous chemotherapy with alkylating agents and anthracyclines can increase the risk of developing osteosarcoma at a later point.
