Bone cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the bone. According to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, some bone cancers like Ewing's sarcoma and osteosarcoma are more likely to develop among children, whereas adults are more likely to develop chondrosarcoma. Those with certain inherited conditions and/or a history of specific medical treatments are at increased risk for developing one of these bone cancers.
Genetics
Several genetic disorders passed down through families are known risk factors for some types of bone cancer. For example, Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a cancer predisposition syndrome characterized by a mutation in a gene that normally helps to suppress tumors. According to the American Cancer Society, children who inherit this disorder are at greater risk of developing a type of bone cancer called osteosarcoma. Rothmund-Thomson syndrome---a rare genetic disorder that affects the skin and skeletal system---and retinoblastoma---a type of eye cancer that, in some cases, is inherited---also put children at higher risk of developing osteosarcoma. Another inherited condition called multiple exostoses, a disease that causes bumps to form on the bones, increases the risk of developing chondrosarcoma---a type of bone cancer that invades cartilage cells.
Paget's Disease
Paget's disease---a condition in which bone breaks down and rebuilds at an abnormal rate---is another risk factor for bone cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately one percent of people with Paget's disease will ultimately develop osteosarcoma in the affected bone(s). This complication is more common among older people who have had Paget's disease for years.
Radiation
According to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, radiation therapy---a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy waves to kill tumor cells---increases the risk of bone cancer. In particular, the higher the doses of radiation and the younger the age at which treatment occurred, the higher the risk of developing a subsequent bone cancer.
The American Cancer Society also advises that people who are exposed to radioactive materials; for example, strontium and radium, are also at higher risk of developing bone cancer. Small and infrequent doses of radiation such as those received during an x-ray do not increase the risk of bone cancer.
Bone Marrow Transplants
The risk of developing bone cancer increases among those who have had a bone marrow transplant, a medical procedure used to treat patients with certain leukemias, lymphomas and other cancers that involves replacing unhealthy bone marrow with new bone marrow stem cells. Though rare, some patients who have had a bone marrow transplant subsequently develop osteosarcoma, according to the American Cancer Society.
