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 metastasis.

Understanding how a type of cancer usually grows and spreads helps your child’s healthcare team plan treatment and future care. If childhood bone cancer spreads, it can spread to the following:

  • the lungs – the most common location for bone cancer to spread
  • other bones

Expert review and references

  • Kriti Kumar, MD, MHSc FRCPC
  • American Cancer Society. Ewing Sarcoma. 2026: https://www.cancer.org/.
  • American Cancer Society. Osteosarcoma. 2025: https://www.cancer.org/.
  • O'Donnell RJ, DuBrois SG, Haas-Kogan DA, Braunstein SE, Hameed M. Sarcomas of Bone. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg S. eds. DeVita Hellman and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2023: Kindle version, chapter 61, https://read.amazon.ca/?asin=B0BG3DPT4Q&language=en-CA.
  • Lessnick SL, Grohar PJ, DuBois SG, Hogendoorn PCW, Davidson D, Laack NN, Dirksen U. Ewing sarcoma. Pizzo PA, Poplack DG, eds.. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Oncology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2021: 27:3286—3381.
  • Janeway KA, Randall RL, Gorlick R. Osteosarcoma. Pizzo PA, Poplack DG, eds.. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Oncology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2021: 28: 3382—3484.

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