Bone Cancers
As the name implies, bone cancer affects the bones in your body, but it’s a relatively rare form of cancer, accounting for less than 1% of all cancer diagnoses. If you’re among this small number, you want to get the best treatment available, which the team at Charleston Oncology provides. Through innovative clinical trials and targeted therapies, the doctors offer comprehensive diagnosis and treatment to patients.
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BOARD CERTIFIED ONCOLOGISTS SPECIALIZING IN BONE CANCER
Downtown, Mt. Pleasant, West Ashley
N. Charleston, Summerville, Walterboro
Read the Blogs
The Importance of Subspecialization in Oncology: Our Commitment at Charleston Oncology
The Importance of Subspecialization in Oncology: Our Commitment at Charleston OncologyAt Charleston Oncology, we know that a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. For most patients, the search for the right doctor quickly becomes one of the most important steps on...
Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers: What You Should Know
Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers: What You Should KnowAt Charleston Oncology, we understand that lung cancer is often linked to smoking, but it’s important to remember that lung cancer can affect anyone, even those who have never smoked. As part of Lung Cancer Awareness...
Why Early Detection Matters: Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines By Age
Why Early Detection Matters: Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines By AgeBreast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women, but it is also one of the most treatable when found early. Early detection is the single most powerful tool we have in the fight against...
Common Questions
What is the difference between primary bone cancer and cancer that has spread to the bone?
Primary bone cancer originates in the bone itself and is relatively rare — accounting for less than 1% of all cancer diagnoses. Examples include osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma. By contrast, cancer that has spread (metastasized) to the bone originates in another organ — such as the breast, prostate, lung, or kidney — before traveling to bone tissue. These are two fundamentally different diagnoses requiring different treatment strategies, and Charleston Oncology has experience managing both.
What symptoms might indicate bone cancer?
The most common symptom of bone cancer is persistent, localized bone pain that tends to worsen over time and may be more pronounced at night. Other symptoms can include swelling or a palpable mass near the affected bone, unexplained fractures that occur with minimal or no trauma (pathologic fractures), limited range of motion in a nearby joint, and general fatigue or unintentional weight loss. A thorough evaluation including imaging is necessary to determine whether cancer is involved.
How is bone cancer treated at Charleston Oncology?
Treatment depends on the type of bone cancer, its location, stage, and the patient’s overall health. For primary bone cancers, treatment typically involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and in some cases radiation therapy. Limb-sparing surgery — which removes the tumor while preserving the limb — has become the standard approach for most patients. For bone metastases from other cancers, systemic therapy targeting the primary cancer is the foundation, often supplemented by bone-targeted agents and radiation for pain control or local disease management.
Will bone cancer affect my ability to walk or use the affected limb?
The answer depends on the location and extent of the tumor and the treatment required. Advances in surgical technique have made limb-salvage procedures the norm for most patients with extremity bone tumors, meaning amputation is far less common than it once was. Rehabilitation, physical therapy, and orthopedic reconstruction play a critical role in restoring function after treatment. Your oncologist and the multidisciplinary surgical team will discuss expected functional outcomes as part of your treatment planning conversation.
