What it is
The first sign is usually bone pain that gets worse over time and is often worse at night. It can be mistaken for a sports injury or growing pains.
Treatment is planned by specialist sarcoma teams and usually combines surgery with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Limbs can often be saved.
Common signs
- Persistent bone pain, often worse at night
- Swelling or a lump over a bone
- A bone that breaks after a minor injury
- Reduced movement in a nearby joint
How it is usually diagnosed
- X-ray
- MRI and CT scans
- Biopsy at a specialist centre
- Bone scan or PET-CT to check for spread
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- X-ray, MRI and CT reports
- Biopsy and pathology reports
- Treatment plans and operation notes
- Follow-up scan schedule
Questions to ask your doctor
- What type of bone cancer is it, and has it spread?
- What will treatment involve and how long will it take?
- What support is there for school, work and fertility?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Sudden severe pain and inability to use a limb, which may be a fracture
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.