Key Statistics for Osteosarcoma

Learn about key statistics for osteosarcoma, including how common it is, who is most affected, and the outlook for those with a diagnosis.

How common is osteosarcoma?

Osteosarcoma is a rare bone cancer. Each year, about 1,000 new cases of osteosarcoma are diagnosed in the United States. About half of these are in children and adolescents.

About 2–3% of childhood cancers are osteosarcomas, but they make up a much smaller percentage of adult cancers.

Who is most affected by osteosarcoma?

Most osteosarcomas occur in children, teens, and young adults between the ages of 10 and 30. Teens are the most affected age group, but people of any age can develop osteosarcoma. About 1 in 5 osteosarcomas occur in people older than 60.

What is the outlook for those with osteosarcoma?

The prognosis (outlook) for people with osteosarcoma depends on many factors, including where the tumor is located and whether the cancer has already spread (metastasized) when it is diagnosed. For more on this, see Survival Rates for Osteosarcoma.

Visit the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Statistics Center for more key statistics.