Bone Cancer

This year, an estimated 3,010 adults (1,680 men and 1,330 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with bone cancer. It is estimated that 1,440 deaths (810 men and 630 women) from this disease will occur this year. Primary bone cancer accounts for less than 0.2% of all cancers.

In adults, chondrosarcoma makes up more than 40% of primary bone cancers, followed osteosarcoma (28%), chordoma (10%), Ewing family of tumors (8%), and MFH/fibrosarcoma (4%). The remaining types of bone cancers are rare. In teens and children, osteosarcoma and Ewing family of tumors are more common.

The five-year survival rate (the percentage of people who survive after the cancer is detected, excluding those who die from other diseases) for adults and children for all types of bone cancer combined, is about 70%. For adults with chondrosarcoma, the five-year survival rate is about 80%.

Cancer survival statistics should be interpreted with caution. These estimates are based on data from thousands of people with this type of cancer, but the actual risk for a particular individual may differ. It is not possible to tell a person how long he or she will live with bone cancer. Learn more about understanding statistics.

Statistics adapted from the American Cancer Society's publication, Cancer Facts and Figures 2013.