This resource was developed with permission from the NCCN by a diverse group of experts. It is based on the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines for Bone Cancer V.1.2009. These guidelines were written for patients, reviewed, and published by SARC.

The different kinds of primary bone cancers are named based on histology (appearance under the microscope) and type of cell or tissue of origin. For example, chondrosarcomas arise from cartilage, osteosarcomas from bone, and fibrosarcomas from fibrous tissue. Ewing’s sarcoma, however, is a family of tumors for which the cell type of origin has not yet been determined.

These guidelines provide information on the three most common primary bone sarcomas:

•  Osteosarcoma                           
•  Chondrosarcoma                      
•  Ewing’s family of tumors

These guidelines include background information about osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma with explanations of stage, diagnosis, and treatment options available to people with sarcoma. These terms are then presented in flow charts called decision trees, which are intended to be used by you and your physician to help you work together to identify which treatment best meets your specific medical and personal needs based on the type, location and extent of your sarcoma. If you find a term you are not familiar with, please refer to the glossary available at the end of the document.

To view this resource, please click below: