Make an enquiry
Refer a patient
HCP Login
HCP Logout

We noticed you are on our AU page. Want to switch regions? Choose from the options:

UK
ES
GenesisCare - logo
Patients
Cancer care
Search by diagnosis
All cancers types
Blood cancer
Bone Cancer
Breast cancer
Gastrointestinal cancer
Genitourinary cancer
Gynaecological cancer
Head & Neck cancer
Lung cancer
Prostate cancer
Skin cancer
Spine cancer
Treatments
Search by treatment
All treatment services
Haematology
Telehealth services
Theranostics
Radiation therapy
All Radiation Therapies
MR Linac
Brachytherapy
Gamma knife RT
Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR)
Medical Oncology
Chemotherapy
Hormone Therapy
Immunotherapy
Targeted therapies
Benign treatment services
Dupuytren's Disease
Ledderhose Disease
Plantar Fasciitis
Keloid Scars
Clinical research
About clinical research
Find a clinical trial
Sponsors and referrers
Helpful information
Navigating cancer treatment
Payment options
Telehealth
Resources
Helpful organisations
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander care
LGBTIQA+ health
For caregivers
Wellbeing blog
All articles
Understanding breast cancer stages
Questions to ask your cancer care team
Integrative cancer care
Exercise therapy
Breast bundle pilot (WA)
About us
Your local GenesisCare
NSW
QLD
SA
VIC
WA
Why GenesisCare?
Partnering with consumers
Safety and quality
About us
Our values and culture
Our leadership team
Careers
News
Contact us
Healthcare professionals
Find a centre
Find a doctor
GenesisCare - logo
HCP Login
HCP Logout
Make an enquiry
Refer a patient

We noticed you are on our AU page. Want to switch regions? Choose from the options:

UK
ES
Find a centre
Find a doctor
Patients
Cancer care
Search by diagnosis
All cancers types
Blood cancer
Bone Cancer
Breast cancer
Gastrointestinal cancer
Genitourinary cancer
Gynaecological cancer
Head & Neck cancer
Lung cancer
Prostate cancer
Skin cancer
Spine cancer
Treatments
Search by treatment
All treatment services
Haematology
Telehealth services
Theranostics
Radiation therapy
All Radiation Therapies
MR Linac
Brachytherapy
Gamma knife RT
Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR)
Medical Oncology
Chemotherapy
Hormone Therapy
Immunotherapy
Targeted therapies
Benign treatment services
Dupuytren's Disease
Ledderhose Disease
Plantar Fasciitis
Keloid Scars
Clinical research
About clinical research
Find a clinical trial
Sponsors and referrers
Helpful information
Navigating cancer treatment
Payment options
Telehealth
Resources
Helpful organisations
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander care
LGBTIQA+ health
For caregivers
Wellbeing blog
All articles
Understanding breast cancer stages
Questions to ask your cancer care team
Integrative cancer care
Exercise therapy
Breast bundle pilot (WA)
About us
Your local GenesisCare
NSW
QLD
SA
VIC
WA
Why GenesisCare?
Partnering with consumers
Safety and quality
About us
Our values and culture
Our leadership team
Careers
News
Contact us
Healthcare professionals
Make an enquiry
Refer a patient
  • Patients
  • Exploring cancer care
  • Conditions we treat
  • Bone cancer

Introduction

image

Bone cancer

Discover more about bone cancer including types, symptoms, risk factors, steps to diagnosis, and potential treatment options.

What is bone cancer?

What is bone cancer?

Primary bone cancer begins when a cancerous tumour forms in a bone and can start in any bone of the body.1

Cancer can also spread to the bones from other parts of the body. This is known as secondary or metastatic bone cancer.2 It should be noted that primary and secondary (metastatic) bone cancers are different.2

  • Primary bone cancer is regarded as a rare cancer, with approximately 80 Australians diagnosed in 2021.3 Some types of primary bone cancer are more common in children than adults.1
  • A secondary bone cancer is usually named after the primary site where it started.4 If you have a secondary bone cancer, you may therefore hear the cancer being referred to as, for example, breast cancer with bone secondaries (where breast cancer was the primary cancer).

Doctors often refer to primary bone cancers as bone sarcoma. There are more than 30 different types of primary bone cancers, and the three regarded as being the most common are:2

  • Osteosarcoma– usually starts in cells that grow bone tissue
  • Chondrosarcoma– usually starts in cells that grow cartilage
  • Ewing sarcoma – usually affects cells in the bone or soft tissue that can multiply rapidly

A common symptom of bone cancer is pain or tenderness in the bones or joints, which may worsen at night or during movement.2 Other symptoms may include but are not limited to:2

  • Swelling over the affected area
  • Bone stiffness or tenderness
  • Unintended weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • A fracture
  • Issues with movement

If you have any of these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have bone cancer. It is recommended to speak with your GP or specialist about any concerns or questions that you may have.

There is no clear cause of bone cancer. However, some factors appear to increase the risk. These may include:1,2

  • Inherited genetic conditions, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome or hereditary retinoblastoma
  • Paget's disease or other bone conditions
  • Radiation therapy for cancer, particularly during childhood

Make an enquiry

Contact us today to learn more about the treatments and services that we provide.

Enquire Now

Diagnosis

Diagnosing bone cancer

If you meet with your GP and they are concerned about any of your symptoms or risk factors, they may refer you to a specialist for a consultation and potentially testing. Tests to diagnose bone cancer may include:1,2

  • Physical examination
  • Blood tests – a full blood count can't diagnose cancer on its own, however it may be the first step to helping doctors understand more about what is going on in your body
  • Biopsy – this involves the removal of a small sample of cells and tissue from the affected area for examination in a laboratory to determine if cancer is present and, if so, what type of cancer it is, how advanced, the size and whether it is growing
  • Imaging tests – these may include X-rays, a computed tomography (CT) scan, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, each with the aim being to check for bone abnormalities or bone damage
Lady with grey hair

Find a doctor

Search for Bone Cancer specialists in your state.

Find a doctor

Treatment options

Treatment options for bone cancer

The recommended treatment options for bone cancer will depend on a range of factors including the type of cancer, how advanced it is, location, and your own individual circumstances and preferences.1 Treatments may include one or a combination of:1,2

Chemotherapy is an approach to cancer therapy that involves the administration of medicine, usually orally or by injection, which is intended to kill cancer cells or minimise their growth and spread. Chemotherapy can be used in conjunction with other cancer treatments.

Chemotherapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays or other particles to treat cancer and can be used at all stages.

Radiation Therapy

Surgery for bone cancer is often combined with other treatments. The surgeon will discuss options directly with patients, and where possible, the bone cancer will be removed, with the aim being to spare the limb.

Shot of a mature couple using a laptop while relaxing at home

All cancer treatments may have side effects.5,6 The type and severity of side effects will vary between individuals.5,6 You can ask your doctor for detailed information about the side effects which you may experience with any treatment recommended for you.

  • Rest when needed – it is important to acknowledge when you are fatigued and rest when you need to 5,6
  • Aim to maintain a healthy diet,5 and we also encourage you to think about eating foods that interest you rather than what you think you should eat
  • Appetite changes are common, and you may experience taste changes or nausea. Help manage this by eating small, frequent snacks and avoiding smells that make you nauseous 5
  • Drink adequate water 5
  • Reach out to support groups and others who have had cancer treatment 6
  • Record your side effects in a diary or journal 7
  • Speak to your doctor about incorporating some gentle exercise into your weekly routine 5,6
  • Ask for and accept help from family, friends and neighbours 6
  • Be open with employers about your treatment and discuss flexible working options if you need them

Find a centre

Search for consulting and treatment locations near you.

View centres

Support services

Support services

Cancer Council Australia

Australia's leading cancer charity, Cancer Council aims to lead a cohesive approach to reduce the impact of cancer.

Visit website

Rare Cancers Australia (RCA)

RCA is dedicated to improving the lives and health outcomes of Australians affected by rare and less common cancers.

Visit website

Sock It To Sarcoma

Sock it to Sarcoma! strives to improve the quality of life for people living with sarcoma.

Visit website
  1. Pullan JE, Lotfollahzadeh S. National Library of Medicine. StatPearls Publishing LLC [Internet]. Primary Bone Cancer. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Last updated: Dec 2022 [Cited Feb 2024]. Access from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560830/
  2. Cancer Council Australia [website]. Bone cancer. Last updated: Sept 2023 [Cited Feb 2024]. Access from: https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/bone-cancer
  3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [website]. Cancer in Australia; 2021. [Cited Feb 2024]. Access from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/cancer/cancer-in-australia-2021/summary
  4. Cancer Council. Understanding secondary bone cancer: information for people affected by cancer. Access from: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/understanding-secondary-bone-cancer-factsheet
  5. Cancer Council Australia [website]. Nutrition for People Living with Cancer. Last updated July 2022 [Cited Feb 2024]. Access from: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/nutrition-and-cancer-booklet
  6. Cancer Council Australia [website]. Exercise for people living with cancer. Last updated March 2019 [Cited Feb 2024]. Access: https://www.cancer.org.au
  7. Cancer Council Australia [website]. Understanding Chemotherapy. Last updated August 2022 [Cited Feb 2024]. Access: https://www.cancer.org.au
  8. Cancer Council Australia [website]. Emotions and cancer. Updated Nov 2022 [Cited Feb 2024]. Access: https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/emotions-and-cancer-booklet
 

You are leaving our website

You are now leaving our website. GenesisCare do not control this content and therefore are not responsible for its accuracy or reliability.

Disclaimer:

This website is provided for information purposes only. Nothing on this website is intended to be used as medical advice, or to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It should not be used as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. Any medical procedure or treatment carries risks. Before proceeding with treatment, you should discuss the risks and benefits of the treatment with an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Individual treatment outcomes and experiences will vary.

This website is provided for information purposes only. Nothing on this website is intended to be used as medical advice, or to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It should not be used as a substitute for your own health professional's advice. Any medical procedure or treatment carries risks. Before proceeding with treatment, you should discuss the risks and benefits of the treatment with an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Individual treatment outcomes and experiences will vary.
AU Genesis Logo

Who we are

About GenesisCare
Careers
News
LGBTQIA+ Progressive Flag
Australian Aboriginal Flag
Torres Strait Islander Flag

Website policies

Cookie preferences
Our privacy policy
Employee privacy policy
Open disclosure & credentialing policies

Your local GenesisCare

NSW
QLD
SA
VIC
WA

Contact us

Call us
Make an enquiry
Refer a patient
Provide feedback
Facebook
Instagram
Linkedin

GenesisCare acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. We ask all people that walk, work, and live on traditional lands to be respectful of culture & traditions and work together as one to better Aboriginal Health.

Copyright © 2025 GenesisCare. All Rights Reserved.

How satisfied are you with your website experience?

Very dissatisfied Very satisfied

How could we improve your experience?

Thank You!

We appreciate your feedback.

Unexpected error!

Please try again.