Primary Bone Cancer: Statistics

What are statistics?

Some people use numbers called statistics to figure out their chances of getting cancer. Or they use them to try to figure out their chances of dying from cancer. Because no two people are alike, statistics can’t be used to predict what will happen to one person. The statistics below describe large groups of people. They do not take into account a person's own risk factors, such as family history, behaviors, or cancer screenings. If you have questions, talk with your healthcare provider.

What are the statistics for primary bone cancer?

Here are some statistics about primary bone cancer (cancer that starts in the bones):

• Primary bone cancers are rare, accounting for less than 0.2 percent of all cancers.

• About 3,450 people will be diagnosed with bone cancer in 2018.

• About 1,590 people are expected to die from bone cancer in 2018.

The most common types of bone cancer are different in adults and children.

Here are the most common types in adults:

• Chondrosarcoma (more than 40%)

• Osteosarcoma (28%)

• Chordoma (10%)

• Ewing tumors (8%)

• Malignant fibrosarcoma and fibrous histiocytoma (4%)

Here are the most common types in children and teens:

• Osteosarcoma (56%)

• Ewing tumors (34%)

• Chondrosarcoma (6%)

Source: American Cancer Society