Children's Bone Cancer

Bone cancers, malignancies in your child's skeleton, are rare in children but can be devastating. Two types of bone cancers, osteosarcomas and Ewing tumors, strike children more often than others. Doctors at Children's Cancer Center have experience in treating these bone cancers as well as others.

Your child's bones have many functions, some obvious, some not. Some bones support their bodies and protect vital organs such as their brain or heart. You may hear doctors call these "flat bones." Other bones, such as those in their arms and legs help them move. You may hear doctors call these "long bones." Bones have other functions, too. This is where your child's body makes new red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets and where they store many minerals such as calcium.

Common childhood bone cancers

The two most common childhood bone cancers are:

• Osteosarcoma
  While uncommon in young children, it is the most prevalent bone cancer in adolescents and young adults.
• Ewing tumors
  These cancers are rare in children, accounting for about 1 percent of childhood cancers.