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
  • American Cancer Society. About Osteosarcoma. 2020: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/osteosarcoma/about.html.
  • PDQ® Pediatric Treatment Editorial Board. Osteosarcoma and Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma of Bone Treatment (PDQ®) – Health Professional Version. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 2021: https://www.cancer.gov/types/bone/hp/osteosarcoma-treatment-pdq.
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology . Ewing Sarcoma - Childhood and Adolescence . 2019 .
  • American Cancer Society. About Ewing Tumors. 2018: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/ewing-tumor/about.html.
  • PDQ® Pediatric Treatment Editorial Board. Ewing Sarcoma Treatment (PDQ®) – Health Professional Version. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 2021: https://www.cancer.gov/types/bone/hp/ewing-treatment-pdq.
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology . Osteosarcoma - Childhood and Adolescence . 2019 .
  • Gorlick R, Janeway K, Marina N. Osteosarcoma. Pizzo PA, Poplack DG, eds.. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Oncology . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2016: 34:877–899.
  • Hawkins DS, Brennan BMD, Bolling T, Davidson DJ, Dirksen U, DuBois SG, Hogendoorn PCS, Lessnick SL. Ewing sarcoma. Pizzo PA, Poplack DG, eds.. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Oncology . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2016: 33:855–876.
  • Hendershot, E . Osteosarcoma. Tomlinson, D. & Kline, N. E. Pediatric Oncology Nursing: Advanced Clinical Handbook. Germany: Springer; 2005: 2.4: pp. 41-44.

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

We do our best to make sure that the information we provide is accurate and reliable but cannot guarantee that it is error-free or complete.

The Canadian Cancer Society is not responsible for the quality of the information or services provided by other organizations and mentioned on cancer.ca, nor do we endorse any service, product, treatment or therapy.


1-888-939-3333 | cancer.ca | © 2024 Canadian Cancer Society