If childhood bone cancer spreads

Last medical review:

Cancer cells can spread from the bone to other parts of the body. This spread is called a metastasis.

Understanding how a type of cancer usually grows and spreads helps your child’s healthcare team plan your child’s treatment and future care.

During and after treatment, children who have bone cancer have diagnostic tests to look for early evidence of spread to other organs.

The most common site of spread of bone cancer is the lungs. It can also spread to other bones.

Expert review and references

  • Abha Gupta, MD, MSc, FRCPC
  • Raveena Ramphal, MBChB, FRACP