Surgical oncology
Bone cancer (sarcoma)
Primary bone cancer is uncommon and treatment is multidisciplinary — chemotherapy usually comes before and after surgery, not instead of it.
In plain language
What this operation is
Primary bone cancer arises in the bone itself and is uncommon, occurring most often in younger people. It is quite different from cancer that has spread to bone from elsewhere, which is much more common.
The pattern that warrants attention is bone pain that is persistent, worse at night, not clearly related to injury, and often with swelling over the area. A bone that breaks with minimal force is another warning sign.
Treatment is multidisciplinary. Chemotherapy is typically given before surgery to shrink the tumour, surgery removes it with a margin, and chemotherapy usually continues afterwards. Because planning affects what operation is possible, assessment before biopsy matters.
Who it is for
When this operation is advised
- Bone pain that is persistent and worse at night
- Swelling or a lump over a bone
- A fracture occurring with minimal force
- An abnormal area on X-ray, CT or MRI
And when it is not. Most bone pain is not cancer — injury, overuse and arthritis are far more common. It is persistent, night-time pain with swelling, without a clear injury, that warrants imaging.
How it works
From assessment to follow-up
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01
First consultation
History, examination and review of every report and film you already have. Bring the actual films, not only the printed summaries.
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02
Diagnosis and staging
Biopsy confirms the diagnosis; imaging establishes how far the disease has gone. No treatment plan is made before this.
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03
The plan
Whether surgery is the right step, and in what order relative to chemotherapy or radiotherapy — agreed with you before anything is booked.
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04
Treatment and follow-up
The operation where appropriate, then the pathology report, and continuing follow-up.
Afterwards
What recovery involves
Recovery differs between patients. What follows is what usually happens — your own timeframe is given at discharge, based on the operation you actually had.
- Recovery depends on the operation performed and on your general health.
- A written discharge plan, wound-care guidance and a follow-up appointment are given before you leave.
- The pathology report usually takes some days and is discussed with you at follow-up.
- Whether further treatment is advised is decided once that report is available.
When to go to hospital instead
A bone that breaks with minimal force, or sudden severe bone pain with inability to bear weight, needs urgent assessment.
Common questions
Questions patients ask
Anything not covered here can be answered at the consultation.
01 What kind of bone pain should be investigated?
Pain that persists, is worse at night, is not clearly explained by injury, and is accompanied by swelling. Most bone pain is not cancer, but that pattern warrants an X-ray at least.
Warning signs02 Is surgery the only treatment?
No. For most bone sarcomas chemotherapy is given before surgery to shrink the tumour and again afterwards. Treatment is planned jointly across specialties.
Treatment03 Is cancer that has spread to bone the same thing?
No. Cancer spreading to bone from elsewhere — from breast or prostate, for example — is a different situation with different treatment, and it is much more common than primary bone cancer.
DifferenceNext step
Bring your reports to a consultation
Often one visit is enough to know whether an operation is needed at all.