Bone cancer

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Prognosis and survival for bone cancer



The following are prognostic factors for bone cancer.

If the cancer has spread

Cancer can spread from the place where it started to other parts of the body. This spread is called metastasis. Whether or not cancer has already spread when it is diagnosed is the most important prognostic factor for bone cancer. Metastasis is linked with a poorer prognosis.

Where the cancer has spread is also an important prognostic factor. Bone cancer that has spread only to the lungs has a better prognosis than metastasis to other parts of the body.

Location of the tumour

Tumours that are found in the bones of the leg or arm (distal tumours) have a better prognosis than tumours that are found in the bones of the pelvis, chest, skull or spine (proximal tumours). This may be because tumours in the arms and legs are easier to completely remove with surgery. Tumours in the chest, pelvis or spine are usually found later, are often larger and are closer to important organs. Those factors make it harder to remove them completely with surgery.

Grade of the tumour


Size of the tumour

Bone cancer tumours that are smaller than 8 cm have a better prognosis than tumours larger than 8 cm.


People who are younger than 40 when they are diagnosed with bone cancer have a better prognosis than people over age 40.

Response to chemotherapy before surgery

Chemotherapy given before surgery is called neoadjuvant chemotherapy. It is given to make the tumour smaller so it is easier to remove with surgery. It is often used to treat osteosarcoma, the most common type of bone cancer. The amount that a bone cancer tumour shrinks with chemotherapy affects the prognosis. Tumours that respond well and get smaller with chemotherapy have a better prognosis than tumours that do not respond very well to chemotherapy.


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