Cancer that arises in the bone (primary bone cancer) is not the
same disease as cancer that spreads to the bone from another
part of the body (secondary bone cancer). Primary bone cancer is
rare, with approximately 2,500 new cases diagnosed each year in
the United States. More commonly, bones are the sites of tumors
that result from the spread (metastasis) of cancer from another
organ, such as the breasts, lungs, and prostate. Screening &
Diagnosis Several tools are utilized to make a diagnosis of bone
cancer, including: - Physical examination - Blood tests,
including checking the level of an enzyme called alkaline
phosphatase. A large amount of alkaline phosphatase can be found
in the blood when the cells that form bone tissue are very
active. - X-rays can show the location, size, and shape of a
bone tumor - Special imaging tests such as a bone scan, a CT (or
CAT) scan, an MRI. Imaging studies help determine the size and
location and extent of the tumor. - Biopsy – There are two type
of biopsies that can be