Bone cancer affects the tissue on the interior of the bone. Bones are typically filled with marrow, but some are filled with soft tissue. These tissue, like other tissue in the body, can become cancerous. Occasionally, marrow can also become cancerous. According to the Mayo Clinic, bone cancer is a fairly rare form of cancer, affecting only 2,500 Americans a year. It's interesting to note that, according to the American Cancer Society, many forms of bone cancer are not actually bone cancer, but cancers that start in other places and then move into the bones. There are three primary forms of actual bone cancer: osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma.
Osteosarcoma
According to the American Cancer Society, osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer. The cells make bone but the bone is weaker than normal. Once the cancer has started it can spread to other tissues near the bone as well as by moving through the blood stream to the lungs and other organs.
Chondrosarcoma
Chondrosarcoma is the second most common form of bone cancer and affects the cartilage rather than tissue. Unlike Ewing's sarcoma, which primarily affects teens, chondrosarcoma normally hits those in their 20s and the risk goes up the older you get. Chondrosarcoma is graded by its rate of growth. Generally, most cases have low grades, thus, not only is the growth slow but the ability to spread is lower.
Ewing's Sarcoma
Named after Dr. James Ewing, Ewing's sarcoma generally affects those in their teens. Unlike osteosarcoma, which occurs on the ends of bones, Ewing's sarcoma happens in the middle of the bone. It also differentiates itself from osteosarcoma because it does respond to radiation. According to the American Cancer Society, of those afflicted with Ewing's sarcoma, two-thirds will be what is considered long-term survivors, living more than five years.
