First published Nov 16, 2023
Bone cancers, like all cancers, develop when cells divide uncontrollably and spread. But, how fast does bone cancer spread?
The rate at which bone cancer spreads varies by type of cancer, tumor grade, and stage. Some aggressive tumors grow and spread quickly, while others progress more slowly. It is also important to distinguish between primary bone cancer (cancer that starts in the bone) and cancer that has spread to the bone from another organ, which is known as bone metastasis. These are biologically different diseases and behave differently.
Understanding whether cancer began in the bone or represents cancer spread in bones from another site is essential for prognosis and treatment planning. We’ll also cover the holistic treatment for bone cancer.
Where Does Bone Cancer Start?
When answering what is bone cancer and where does bone cancer usually start, it’s good to begin with the skeletal system.
The skeletal system consists of 206 bones and connective tissues. It’s the framework of our body that protects internal organs and attaches to muscles, so that our body can move freely. It’s also where bone cancer originates.1,2
There are different types of bone cancer, and understanding the various types is crucial for accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment approaches:
Osteosarcoma
When discussing where bone cancer starts, we usually begin with the most common prevalent form of primary bone cancer, otherwise known as osteosarcoma. Osteosarcoma begins in the bone cells and tumor cells commonly develop in the arms, legs, and pelvis.6 In rare cases, osteosarcoma can occur in the soft tissue outside of the bone as well.
This type of bone cancer is often found in young children to older adults and makes itself present through bone pain, tenderness, and swelling. Doctors will usually recommend chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery to kill the cancer cells within the affected bone.
Chondrosarcoma
This bone cancer is the next most common form of bone cancer and begins in the cartilage cells. A Chondrosarcoma cancer cell can form anywhere in the body where there is cartilage. Most chondrosarcomas begin in the bones of the legs, pelvis, or arms. They can also start in the trachea, larynx, chest wall, shoulder blades, ribs, or skull. Left untreated, it can develop into metastatic bone disease and begin affecting other parts of the body.6
Ewing tumor
As the third most common type of primary bone cancers, Ewing tumors (or Ewing sarcomas) develop in the pelvis, chest wall, and long bones of the arms and legs. Ewing sarcoma is a rare bone disease that can form both in the bones and in soft tissue. While Ewing’s Sarcoma may be more common in children and teenagers, this cancer can affect anyone at any age.
What Is the Difference Between Primary Cancer vs. Secondary Cancer?
In understanding the progression of bone cancer, a key aspect to consider is the distinction between primary and secondary cancers. This differentiation not only influences the nature of the treatment but also affects the prognosis, including concerns about how fast bone cancer spreads.
Primary Bone Cancer
This originates directly in the bones or surrounding tissues like cartilage. The growth rate of primary bone cancer depends on the type and grade of the tumor. For example, high-grade sarcomas like osteosarcoma tend to grow and spread more rapidly. This leads to the question of “How fast does bone cancer spread,” particularly in the context of primary cancer. The answer varies, but aggressive forms can spread quickly without timely and effective treatment.
Secondary Bone Cancer
This occurs when cancer cells spread to the bones from another part of the body. This cancer type typically indicates a more advanced stage of the disease. Its rate of spread can be quite swift, particularly if the primary cancer is of a fast-growing type. This is due to secondary bone cancer’s progression, and the rate at which it spreads often depends on the origin of the primary cancer and the response to treatments.
How Fast Does Bone Cancer Spread?
The rate at which bone cancer spreads depends on several factors:
- The type of bone cancer
- Tumor grade (low-grade vs high-grade)
- Stage of disease
- Whether the cancer has spread beyond the bone
- Overall health of the patient
Primary Bone Cancer
Primary bone cancer is rare. It includes cancers such as:
- Osteosarcoma
- Chondrosarcoma
- Ewing sarcoma
High-grade sarcomas tend to spread faster than low-grade tumors. These cancers may spread through the bloodstream, often to the lungs first.
In some cases, bone cancer spreads without treatment within months. In other cases, growth is slower. Primary bone cancer depends heavily on tumor biology and early detection.
Important Clarification
Many searches for “how fast does bone cancer spread” actually refer to cancer that spreads to the bone, not cancer that starts there.
This distinction matters.
Benign Bone Tumors
Contrary to malignant tumors, benign bone tumors generally do not spread. They can grow and cause symptoms by pressing on nearby structures, but they don’t have the same capacity to invade other tissues or metastasize to distant body parts. However, certain benign tumors may have the potential to become malignant over time.
Examples of Benign Bone Tumors
These tumors are composed of normal cells and will not occupy nearby organs and tissues. However, benign tumors can sometimes press on other organs and cause pain if they are not taken care of.3 The following are examples of benign bone tumors:
- osteoma
- osteoid osteoma
- osteochondroma
- enchondroma
- aneurysmal bone cyst
- fibrous dysplasia of the bone
Malignant Bone Tumors
When it comes to malignant tumors, the question of “How fast does bone cancer spread?” is particularly pertinent. These cancerous growths have the potential to spread rapidly, especially without timely treatment. The aggressiveness of the cancer varies; some types can be particularly fast-moving.
Examples of Malignant Bone Tumors
Malignant tumors can spread throughout the body through the lymph system and bloodstream. They typically grow faster than benign tumors.3 The following are examples of malignant bone tumors:
- osteosarcoma
- chondrosarcoma
- Ewing’s sarcoma
- malignant fibrous histiocytoma
- fibrosarcoma
- chordoma
- other sarcomas
Stage of Bone Cancer and Survival
The bone cancer stages are a crucial component when answering the question of “How fast does bone cancer spread.” Bone cancer is staged 0-4 — the higher the stage, the faster and further the metastasis has spread. That’s why it’s crucial to understand the early signs of bone cancer, and whether you have developed bone metastases or primary bone tumors.
- Stage I–II: Cancer remains localized
- Stage III: Multiple areas of cancer within the same bone
- Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant organs
Survival depends on:
- Early detection
- Tumor grade
- Response to treatment
- Presence of metastasis
Current survival statistics for bone cancer show approximately 60–70% five-year survival for localized disease. Survival decreases when cancer has spread.
For patients with bone metastasis in adults, factors affecting life expectancy include the original cancer type and response to systemic therapy.
When Cancer Spreads to Bones
Knowing what bone cancer feels like can help you identify the symptoms. Metastatic bone cancer, like all cancers, is less likely to spread the sooner you get treatment. But what are the symptoms of bone cancer? How do you know if you have bone metastases or other tumors?
When cancer spreads to bone, it can disrupt healthy bone tissue and weaken structural integrity.
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent bone pain
- Pain that worsens at night
- Fractures without major trauma
- Swelling in affected areas
- Numbness or weakness (if spinal bones are involved)
A symptom of bone metastasis may also include high calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia), which can cause confusion or fatigue.
When cancer spreads to the bone, treatment focuses on:
- Stabilizing bone
- Reducing pain
- Preventing fractures
- Slowing tumor progression
This differs significantly from treating primary bone tumors.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Care
Seek immediate evaluation if you experience:
- Sudden, severe bone pain
- New weakness or numbness in arms or legs
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- A fracture after minimal injury
- Severe back pain
These symptoms may indicate spinal cord compression or fracture due to metastatic bone cancer and require urgent treatment.
How Doctors Confirm Cancer in the Bone
To determine whether a patient has primary bone cancer or bone metastases, doctors may use:
- Bone scan
- MRI or CT imaging
- PET scan
- Blood tests
- Biopsy of the bone tumor
A biopsy confirms whether the cancer started in the bone or represents cancer that has spread.
The diagnosis of bone metastasis is especially important because it changes the overall treatment plan and survival expectations.
Currently, there’s no definitive answer as to what causes bone cancer, but bone cancer is diagnosed through bone scan imaging and biopsy results.
Treatment Options For Bone Cancer Patients
Treatment depends on whether the diagnosis is primary bone cancer or secondary metastatic bone cancer.
Options may include:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Bone-strengthening medications
- Procedures such as bone cement stabilization
The overall five-year survival rate for all bone cancers in adults and children is about 70%, whereas the five-year survival rate for the most advanced stage of osteosarcoma (the most common type of metastatic bone cancer) is 27 percent.5,6 Many doctors turn to options such as surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy, but we believe there are better and alternative methods.
Your Next Steps for Wellness and Therapy
At Immunity Therapy Center, we believe there is a treatment for everyone. That’s why we offer alternative cancer treatments, based on our patient’s current condition, their type of cancer, and past medical history.
If you are diagnosed with bone cancer and are interested in learning how to treat bone cancer naturally, reach out to ITC today.
Written By: Dr. Pablo Orozco
Dr. Pablo Orozco is a Board Certified Medical Doctor from Universidad Autónoma de Baja California.
Dr. Orozco has been a treating physician at the Immunity Therapy Center for more than 3 years providing daily on site patient care. He works with patients on a daily basis and guides them through the treatment process. Dr. Orozco’s passion for Alternative Cancer Treatments along with his commitment to patient care is key to insure that our patients have the best experience and results possible.
Sources:
- Dictionary.com. Definition of Skeletal System. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/skeletal-system
- Medicalnewstoday. Bone cancer: Survival rate, causes, types, and treatment. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171372
- healthline.com. How Quickly Cancer Spreads. https://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/how-fast-does-cancer-spread#treatment
- Cancer.net. Bone Cancer Symptoms and Signs. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/bone-cancer/symptoms-and-signs
- healthline.com. What is the Life Expectancy with Stage 4 Bone Cancer? https://www.healthline.com/health/stage-4-bone-cancer-life-expectancy
- cancer.org. What is Bone Cancer? https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bone-cancer/about/what-is-bone-cancer.html
- NCBI. Factors Affecting Life Expectancy After Bone Metastasis in Adults — Results of a 5-year Prospective Study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8764008/
- NCBI. Bone Metastasis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8764008/
