Among those who develop bone cancer, 95 percent of people do not have any obvious risk factors. While scientists are not certain what causes bone cancer, a number of factors that may increase a person's risk have been identified:
Age and Individual History
Bone cancers occur more frequently in children and young adults, particularly those who have had radiation therapy or chemotherapy for other conditions. Bone cancers that appear in young people may also be associated with the rapid growth of bones that occurs during puberty.
Heredity
A small number of bone cancers are due to heredity. For example, children with hereditary retinoblastoma (an uncommon cancer of the eye) are at a higher risk of developing osteosarcoma. Another hereditary condition that may increase bone cancer risk is Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a disorder caused by a mutation in the p53 tumor suppressor gene. This syndrome predisposes people to cancers of the breast and brain, osteosarcoma, and other types of sarcoma.
Paget's Disease
Adults with Paget's disease, a noncancerous condition characterized by abnormal development of new bone cells, may be at increased risk for osteosarcoma. Bones affected by Paget's disease are heavier and thicker, yet weaker than normal bones, and more likely to fracture.
