Bone cancer is a malignancy that arises in the cells that form bone. Primary bone cancer is not the same thing as cancers that begin elsewhere in the body and spread to the bone. Tumors that arise in other locations and spread to the bone are referred to as metastatic tumors. There are several different types of bone cancer.
Bone cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms in some cases. The symptoms of bone cancer tend to come on slowly. Specific symptoms depend on the type, location, and size of the tumor. The most common symptom of bone cancer is pain that is often worse at night. Other associated symptoms can include
- a lump on the bone can be felt through the skin,
- joint pain,
- fracture,
- limping,
- swelling, and
- weight loss.
Cause of bone cancer
There is no specific cause of bone cancer.
Other bone cancer symptoms and signs
- A Lump on the Bone That Can Be Felt Through the Skin
- Bone Pain That Is Often Worse at Night
- Fracture
- Joint Pain
- Limping
- Swelling
- Weight Loss
Main Article on Bone Cancer Symptoms and Signs

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Examples of Medications for Bone Cancer Symptoms and Signs
- acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tylenol Arthritis Pain, Tylenol Ext, Little Fevers Children's Fever/Pain)
- codeine (for Pain)
- fentanyl - transdermal, Duragesic
- fentanyl injection (Sublimaze)
- fentanyl lozenge - buccal, Actiq
- fentanyl patch (Duragesic)
- fentanyl tablet - buccal, Fentora
- ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin)
- naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn)
- Oxycodone for Pain (OxyContin, Roxicodone, Oxecta, Oxaydo, Xtampza ER, Roxybond)
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