The most common bone cancer affecting older adults is **chondrosarcoma**, a type of cancer that originates in cartilage cells. It tends to occur more frequently in people over 40 years old and is generally less aggressive than other bone cancers but still requires careful monitoring. Chondrosarcoma often develops in the pelvis, hips, or shoulder areas where cartilage is present.
In contrast, **osteosarcoma** and **Ewing sarcoma** are more common among children and young adults rather than older adults. Osteosarcoma typically affects the long bones near the knee or upper arm, while Ewing sarcoma usually arises around the pelvis or long bones as well but mostly in younger populations.
Besides chondrosarcoma, there are rarer types of bone cancers that can affect adults including:
– **Fibrosarcoma**, which starts in fibrous tissue surrounding bones.
– **Malignant fibrous histiocytoma**, a rare sarcoma that can occur within bone tissue.
– Other uncommon tumors like leiomyosarcoma and angiosarcoma of the bone also exist but are very rare.
Bone cancers can be primary (starting directly in the bone) or secondary (spreading from other parts of the body). Primary bone cancers like chondrosarcomas tend to cause symptoms such as persistent deep pain—often worse at night—swelling near affected bones, and sometimes fractures with minimal trauma due to weakened bones.
Diagnosing these cancers involves imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, followed by biopsy to confirm cancer type. Treatment depends on factors like tumor size, location, spread (staging), and patient health status. For chondrosarcomas especially found in older adults:
– Surgery is often the main treatment approach since these tumors may not respond well to chemotherapy or radiation.
– Close follow-up is essential because even though they grow slower than other types of bone cancer, they can still invade nearby tissues or metastasize if untreated.
Understanding these distinctions helps guide appropriate care for older patients presenting with suspicious symptoms related to their bones. While less common overall compared to metastatic involvement from other cancers spreading into bone tissue later in life—which happens more frequently—the primary malignant tumors originating from cartilage remain a key concern for this age group due to their unique behavior and treatment challenges.