The chance of recovery, (prognosis) depends on the type, location, and stage of the tumor. The chance of recovery also depends on the age, size of the tumor, stage of development, and general health of the patient.
In the year 2000, about 2,500 new cases of cancer of the bones and joints were diagnosed, and about 1,400 deaths from these cancers were the expected outcome. Primary cancers of bones account for less than 0.2 percent of all cancers.
What are the percentages of cancers that are bone cancers?
Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone cancer (35% of cases)
followed by chondrosarcoma (26%)
Ewing's tumor (16%)
chordoma (8%)
malignant fibrous histiocytoma/fibrosarcoma (6%)
Several other more rare cancers account for the remainder of cases.
The long term prognosis for people with primary bone cancer varies greatly, depending on the specific type of cancer and how far it has spread. If you have questions about your personal chances of cure of bone cancer, or how long you might survive such a cancer, it is always best recommended to talk with the people who know your unique circumstances best - your Musculoskeletal or Orthopedic Oncology care team.
Beginning the Chondrosarcoma Journey
