What Is Bone Cancer?

• Bone cancer is a tumor found in the bones. It can be either benign or malignant. A tumor formed in the bones is primary bone cancer. It's metastatic if it spreads to the bones from other parts of the body.
  
  

Types

• There are two common types of primary bone cancer: osteosarcoma, occurring mostly in the knees and upper arms, and chrondrosarcoma, which occurs mostly in the pelvis.
  
  

Causes

• Bone cancer can be hereditary. Other individuals at risk for bone cancers are those who have had high doses of radiation treatments or anticancer drug treatments, or have metal implants.
  
  

Diagnosis

• A series of laboratory and diagnostic tests are usually done prior to the biopsy. These include X-rays, a bone scan, CAT scan, MRI, PET scan and an angiogram.
  
  

Function of Bone Cancer Biopsy

• A bone cancer biopsy is done to determine the existence of cancer. The procedure involves the removal of tissue samples from the tumor. This can be by a needle or incision biopsy.
  
  

Procedure

• In the needle biopsy procedure, a small hole is made in the bone using a needle-like instrument, and a tissue sample is removed from the tumor. The incision biopsy is done by making an incision in the tumor and removing tissue samples. Samples are examined under a microscope to determine if cancer cells are present.