Risk Factors/ Possible Causes
Although bone cancer does not have a clearly defined cause, researchers have identified several factors that increase the likelihood of developing these tumors.
- Genetics- Children with familial retinoblastoma (an eye cancer) have an increased risk of developing osteosarcoma.
- Previous radiation therapy- People who have had radiation treatment for other conditions have a higher risk of developing bone cancer at the site of the radiation therapy. The majority of radiation therapy-caused bone cancers are osteosarcoma, but other types may occur.
- Chemotherapy- Some drugs, including alkylating agents and anthracyclines, used to treat cancer may increase the risk of developing a secondary cancer, usually osteosarcoma.
- Benign tumors or other bone conditions- Paget’s disease may cause osteosarcoma, due to the abnormal benign cell growth in its early stages . Other noncancerous bone diseases, such as fibrous dysplasia, may increase the risk of osteosarcoma.
- Currently, there is no known way to prevent bone cancer. Early detection offers the best hope for successful treatment, so people with known risk factors are encouraged to visit the doctor regularly and talk with him or her about it. Still, most bone cancer occurs in people with no known risk factors.