Treatment for bone cancer

Main treatments for bone cancer

Primary bone cancer can often be treated.

The treatment you have will depend on:

• the type of bone cancer you have
• where the cancer is
• your general health
• your treatment preferences

Surgery and chemotherapy are the main treatments for primary bone cancer. Radiotherapy or targeted medicines are also used to treat some types of bone cancer.

The specialist care team looking after you will:

• explain the treatments, benefits and side effects
• work with you to create a treatment plan that's best for you
• discuss the chances of the bone cancer coming back and how it will be treated if it does

You'll have regular check-ups during and after any treatments. Depending on the stage of your bone cancer, you may have tests and scans.

If you have any symptoms or side effects you're worried about, talk to your specialists. You do not need to wait for your next check-up.

Surgery

Surgery is one of the main treatments for primary bone cancer.

The type of surgery you need depends on things such as:

• the size of the cancer
• where the tumour is and if it has spread to other areas of your body
• how well chemotherapy has worked to shrink the tumour (if you’ve had it)

Types of bone cancer surgery include:

• cutting out the affected bone and replacing it with a metal implant or bone from another part of your body
• removing the affected limb (amputation) – this may be needed if the tumour has spread to the surrounding area
• removing cancer that has spread to another part of your body (metastasectomy)

As part of your recovery you will need physiotherapy to help you regain your mobility.

You'll also need regular follow up appointments to check your progress and deal with any problems.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells.

It's very effective in treating some types of bone cancer, particularly Ewing sarcoma.

Reasons you may need to have chemotherapy include:

• to shrink a tumour before surgery and make it easier to remove
• to reduce the chances of the cancer coming back after surgery
• if you have Ewing sarcoma that cannot be completely removed with surgery, you may need chemotherapy with radiotherapy
• to slow the growth of a tumour and help control your symptoms if the cancer cannot be cured

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays of radiation to kill cancer cells.

It's not always used to treat bone cancer, but it may be needed:

• if you have Ewing sarcoma
• if you have osteosarcoma or chondrosarcoma and surgery is not possible
• to reduce the chance of bone cancer coming back after having surgery

The type of radiotherapy you need will depend on the type of bone cancer you have and what stage it's at.

Targeted medicines

Targeted medicines aim to stop the cancer growing.

They may be recommended depending on:

• the type of bone cancer you have
• how big the cancer is and how far it has spread (the stage)
• any other treatments you've had for the cancer
• your general level of health

You may have a targeted medicine on its own or in combination with chemotherapy.

What happens if you've been told your cancer cannot be cured

If you've been diagnosed with advanced bone cancer, it might be very hard to treat. It may not be possible to cure the cancer.

In this situation, the aim of your treatment will be to limit the cancer and its symptoms, and help you live longer.

Finding out the cancer cannot be cured can be very hard news to take in.

You'll be referred to a special team of doctors and nurses called the palliative care team or symptom control team.

They'll work with you to help manage your symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.

The clinical nurse specialist or palliative care team can also help you and your loved ones get any support you need.