Bone Cancer

Cancer that develops in the osteoblast cells that form the outer covering of the bone, or osteosarcoma, is the most common type of cancer that starts in the bone. Only about 900 new cases of osteosarcoma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Overall, survival rates have risen dramatically in the past 30 years due to advanced chemotherapy, specialized surgery, and rehabilitation.

Outstanding experience is one reason that Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, was named a Blue Distinction Center^SM for primary bone tumors by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. These centers feature the most advanced research facilities, staffed with highly trained oncologists and surgical teams who are experienced in treating rare cancers. The centers were selected in collaboration with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), leading clinicians and professional organizations.

What is bone?

Bone is living tissue that makes up the body's skeleton. There are three types of bone tissue, including the following:

compact tissue - the harder, outer tissue of bones.
cancellous tissue - the sponge-like tissue inside bones.
subchondral tissue - the smooth tissue at the ends of bones, which is covered with another type of tissue called cartilage. Cartilage is the specialized, gristly connective tissue that is present in adults, and the tissue from which most bones develop in children.

Together, compact and cancellous tissues are called the periosteum. Beneath the hard outer shell of the periosteum there are tunnels and canals through which blood and lymphatic vessels run to carry nourishment for the bone. Muscles, ligaments, and tendons may attach to the periosteum.

Bones are classified by their shape - as long, short, flat, and irregular. Primarily, they are referred to as long or short.

There are 206 bones in the human skeleton, not including teeth and sesamoid bones (small bones found within cartilage):

80 axial bones, which include the head, facial, hyoid, auditory, trunk, ribs, and sternum.
126 appendicular bones, which include arms, shoulders, wrists, hands, legs, hips, ankles, and feet.

What are the functions of bone?

Bone provides shape and support for the body, as well as protection for some organs. Bone also serves as a storage site for minerals and provides the medium - marrow - for the development and storage of blood cells.

What are the different types of bone cells?

The different types of bone cells include the following:

osteoblast - found within the bone, its function is to form the tissue and minerals that give bone its strength.
osteoclast - a very large cell formed in bone marrow, its function is to absorb and remove unwanted tissue.
osteocyte - found within the bone, its function is to help maintain bone as living tissue.

Fat cells and hematopoietic cells are found within the bone marrow. Hematopoietic cells are those that produce blood cells.

Because of the complexities of a bone's function, from providing strength and support for the body, to serving as a site for development and storage of blood cells, there are many disorders and diseases that can affect bone.

Click here to view the
Online Resources of Cancer Center