Bone Cancer

Why choose us for bone cancer care?

If bone cancer touches your life, turn to our experts. The highly skilled team of bone cancer doctors at Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson, includes doctors who have additional training through fellowships. 

You’ll have access to the best available treatments, including sophisticated surgical procedures and cancer-fighting drugs. And with years of experience, both individually and as a team, we’ll tailor services to your needs. Find out more about our bone cancer program.

At the Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson, we perform genetic and molecular testing. These tests can match you with the treatments most likely to be effective against the specific type of cancer you have.

What you need to know about bone cancer?

Although risk factors don't usually put people at risk, below are some factors that may increase your chance of getting bone cancer.

• Chordomas, changes to chromosome 7
• Paget's diseases
• Chondrosarcomas
• Genetic disorders

How to talk to your doctor about bone cancer

Everyone reacts differently to a cancer diagnosis. No matter how you’re feeling or what questions you have, we’re here to help. Your care team is here to answer your questions and concerns at any time. No subject is too small to bring up.

You might want to ask your doctor about:

• Additional testing, if any, you may need to inform your diagnosis or treatment plan.
• Cancer details, including the type of Oral Cancer, whether it has spread and the odds that the cancer could come back after successful treatment.
• Treatment options, including clinical trials you may be eligible for at any phase of your treatment.
• Potential treatment side effects and supportive care services that may reduce the impact on your daily life.

We welcome family members and loved ones to participate in your care. They can help you remember important details discussed during appointments and make cancer treatment easier on you.

Types of bone cancer

Bone cancer includes three main types:

• Chondrosarcoma
• Osteosarcoma
• Ewing’s sarcoma

Other types include:

• Fibrosarcoma
• High-grade undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone
• Giant cell tumor of bone
• Chordoma

Symptoms

Symptoms of bone cancer usually include:

• Pain in the bone or a painful
• Hard swelling near the bone

Diagnosis

Our team of experts, which include orthopedic oncologist and an imaging team will perform a series of techniques that include:

• X-Rays
• MRI’s
• PET/CT scans
• Blood tests

Our oncologist may also perform a biopsy to obtain certain specimens for further examinations. Our team may also use a technique called molecular profiling, which detects changes in your tumor.

Treatment

If we catch bone cancer in earlier stages, treatment often includes surgery. We may use other therapies to destroy remaining cancer cells and lower the risk of it coming back. For more advanced cancers, your care may include cancer-fighting drugs (chemotherapy) and radiation therapy instead of surgery, although radiation may be given before surgery in some patients. Get more information about cancer treatments.

 A bone cancer diagnosis and treatment side effects can bring challenges to your life. Our team is here for you. We can help relieve discomfort and solve problems related to your care. Find out more about supportive care.

Research and Clinical Trials

Clinical trials bring innovative care options that are not widely available close to home. You may be eligible for clinical trials if you have a rare type of bone cancer or one that does not respond to standard treatments.

Read more about cancer research and clinical trials.