There are numerous types of bone tumors. These tumors are given names based on the area of bone or surrounding tissue affected and the type of cells forming the tumor. 

Benign (noncancerous) bone tumors do not spread to other tissues or organs. They can usually be cured by surgery and are not life-threatening. Examples of benign bone tumors include:

• Chondromyxoid fibroma
• Osteoid osteoma
• Osteoblastoma
• Osteochondroma
• Enchondroma

The majority of bone cancers are called sarcomas. Sarcomas are cancers that mainly develop from bone, cartilage, muscle fibrous tissue, fatty tissue or nerve tissue. Types of primary bone cancers (cancers that begin in the bone) include:

• Osteosarcoma. This type of cancer is a malignant tumor of the bone itself. It develops in new tissue in growing bones, most often in bones of the arms, legs or pelvis. Also known as osteogenic sarcoma, this type of cancer is the most common primary bone cancer, accounting for 35 percent of cases. It occurs most often in young people between the ages of 10 and 30, and is rare in middle-aged people. Approximately 10 percent of cases develop in people in their 60s and 70s. It is more common in men.
  
  
• Chondrosarcoma. The second most common primary bone cancer, chondrosarcoma, is cancer of the cartilage cells. It accounts for 26 percent of cases. The disease usually develops from normal cartilage. However, it may also develop within benign tumors of cartilage and bone (osteochondromas). It occurs most often in bones of the arms, legs or pelvis but can also develop in the ribs and some other bones. Chondrosarcoma is uncommon in people under age 20. Risk of developing the disease continually increases from age 20 to about age 75. It is most common in people between the ages of 50 and 60. Men and women have an equal risk of developing the disease.
  
  
• Ewing’s tumor. Also known as Ewing’s sarcoma, this cancer is the third most common primary bone cancer, accounting for 16 percent of cases. Named after the physician who first described it in 1921, Ewing’s tumors typically develop in bones. Unlike osteosarcoma, these tumors develop in the cavity of the bone. Research suggests that it develops in immature nerve tissue in bone marrow. 
  
  This form of bone cancer usually develops in the long bones of the legs and arms but may also occur in the pelvis and in other bones. Typically appearing in children and teenagers (ages 10 to 20), this cancer is rare in people over age 30. It is more common in white people and uncommon among African Americans and Asian Americans.
  
  
• Chordoma. Accounting for 8 percent of cases, this type of primary bone cancer typically develops in the base of the skull and bones of the spine. Long-term follow-up is important because these tumors can recur, even 10 or more years after treatment. 
  
  
• Fibrosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Accounting for 6 percent of primary bone cancers, these cancers normally develop from soft tissues and rarely occur in bones. Soft tissues are types of connective tissues other than bone, such as ligaments, tendons, fat and muscle. These cancers are most common in elderly and middle-aged adults. Bones most commonly affected include those of the arms, legs and jaw.
  
  
• Giant cell tumor of the bone. This type of primary bone tumor can occur in benign or malignant forms. Benign forms are most common, with only about 10 percent of giant cell tumors being malignant and spreading to other areas of the body. After surgery, however, malignant giant cell bone tumors can recur locally (come back in the same area where the cancer started). These tumors usually occur in young and middle-aged adults. Bones most commonly affected include the arm and leg bones.

Although non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukemia can develop in bone or bone marrow, these forms of cancer are not considered primary bone cancer.