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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffMost bone cancers occur in people who have identifiable risk factors. It's not known what causes bone cancer, but factors that increase the risk of bone cancer include:
- Inherited genetic syndromes. Certain rare genetic syndromes passed through families increase the risk of bone cancer, including Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, hereditary retinoblastoma and multiple exostoses.
- Paget's disease of bone. This precancerous condition that affects older adults increases the risk of bone cancer.
- Radiation therapy for cancer. Exposure to large doses of radiation, such as those given during radiation therapy for cancer, increases the risk of bone cancer in the future.
References
- Bone cancer. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_7x_CRC_Bone_Cancer_PDF.asp. Accessed Aug. 7, 2009.
- Bone cancer. Fort Washington, Pa.: National Comprehensive Cancer Network. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/bone.pdf. Accessed Aug. 7, 2009.
- Bone cancer: Questions and answers. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheets/Sites-Types/bone/print?page=&keyword=. Accessed Aug. 7, 2009.
- Questions to ask the doctor. Cancer.Net. http://www.cancer.net/patient/Cancer+Types/Bone+Cancer. Accessed Aug. 8, 2009.
- Moynihan TJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 13, 2009.
