In 2008, about 2,380 new cases of cancer of the bones and joints will be diagnosed, and about 1,470 deaths from these cancers are expected. Primary cancers of bones account for less than 0.2% of all cancers.

Osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma are the 2 most common primary bone cancers (each one is about 35% of cases), These are followed by Ewing tumor (10%), chordoma (5%), and malignant fibrous histiocytoma/fibrosarcoma (2%). Several rare types of cancers account for the remainder of cases.

The prognosis (outlook) for people with primary bone cancer varies greatly, depending on the specific type of cancer and how far it has spread. If you have questions about your personal chances of cure of bone cancer or how long you might survive such a cancer, talk with your cancer care team.