Treatment for bone cancer

The main treatments for cancer that starts in your bone (primary bone cancer) include:

  • surgery
  • chemotherapy
  • radiotherapy

You might have a combination of these treatments. Some people might have a targeted treatment. Find out more.

This section is about cancer that starts in your bone (primary bone cancer). If your cancer has spread into bone from another part of the body, it is called secondary bone cancer.

Preparing for treatment and life afterwards (prehabilitation)

There are things you can do to help you feel more in control of your physical and mental health when preparing for treatment. In the hospital, preparing for treatment is also called prehabilitation or prehab.

Treatment options for bone cancer

The main treatments for cancer that starts in your bone (primary bone cancer) include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Surgery for bone cancer

Surgery is one of the main treatments for bone cancer. Surgery for primary bone cancer is a very specialised treatment. You have your operation at a specialist centre.

Chemotherapy for bone cancer

Chemotherapy works very well for some types of bone cancer. There are different reasons why you might have chemotherapy treatment.

Radiotherapy for bone cancer

Radiotherapy uses high energy x-rays to treat cancer. It is a common treatment for bone cancer.

Targeted cancer drugs for bone cancer

You might have a targeted cancer drug for primary bone cancer. Targeted cancer drugs change the way cells work and help the body to control the growth of cancer.

Follow up after bone cancer treatment

You will have follow up appointments and tests after treatment for bone cancer.

Last reviewed: 
19 Sep 2024
Next review due: 
19 Sep 2027