Various types of bone cancer may occur in the hip. A hip tumor may cause a person to experience pain, swelling, or fractures.

Bone cancer in the hip is rare. Primary bone cancers, which begin in the bone, account for less than 1% of all types of cancer. Bone cancer in the hip may cause pain, but hip pain is usually due to another cause.

This article outlines the types of cancer that can affect the hip. It also discusses symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

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The following types of bone cancer may affect the hip:

Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer. It usually affects children, adolescents, and young adults.

Osteosarcoma can begin in any bone. In younger people, it usually develops in the bones around the knee or in the upper arm bone. It may develop in the hips, shoulder, or jaw in older adults.

Learn more about osteosarcoma.

Chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcoma is the second most common form of primary bone cancer. The risk of chondrosarcoma is rare in people under 20 years but increases as people get older.

Chondrosarcoma begins in the cartilage. It usually develops in the hip, leg, or arm bones, but it can affect other areas, too.

Ewing sarcoma

Ewing sarcoma is a cancer that can begin in bones and soft tissue but more commonly starts in bones such as the hips, legs, or ribs. Ewing sarcoma is more common in children and adolescents.

Learn more about Ewing sarcoma.

Multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a cancerous tumor that forms in the bone marrow and can affect any bone in the body. It most commonly affects people aged 50–70 years.

Learn more about multiple myeloma.

Chordoma

Chordoma is a cancer that grows slowly in the tissue within the spine. It is often found near the tailbone, called a sacral tumor, or where the spine and skull meet, called a clival tumor.

Chordoma is a rare type of cancer that affects 1 in 1 million people per year worldwide. Chordoma diagnosis is most common in people in their 50s and 60s.

Learn more about tailbone cancer.

Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer that begins in the bone marrow. It occurs due to bone marrow producing abnormal white blood cells, which grow uncontrollably and replace healthy cells.

Leukemia and other bone marrow disorders may cause bone and joint pain. Pain occurs when cancer cells cause overcrowding in the bone marrow.

People may experience pain and swelling in the larger joints, such as the hips and shoulders, several weeks after the initial bone pain.

Learn more about leukemia.

Metastatic bone cancer

Metastatic bone cancer is not primary and does not begin in the bones. Metastatic bone cancer is cancer that starts in another area of the body and spreads to the bones.

Any cancer may spread to the bones, but the cancers that most commonly metastasize include:

Common sites for bone metastases include:

  • hips
  • spine
  • ribs
  • upper leg bone
  • upper arm bone
  • skull

Doctors refer to and treat any metastatic cancer as the original cancer rather than bone cancer.

Learn more about metastatic bone cancer.

Symptoms of bone cancer in the hip may include:

  • pain, which may worsen with movement or at night and may become more constant over time
  • fractures due to the weakening of the bone, which may cause sudden, intense pain
  • a lump or swelling in the area
  • numbness, tingling, or weakness if a tumor presses on nerves
  • fatigue
  • unexplained weight loss

Learn more about bone cancer symptoms.

The causes of bone cancer may depend on the type. Changes to the DNA in bone cells may cause cells to become cancerous. People may inherit or acquire certain genetic mutations that increase bone cancer risk.

Risk factors for bone cancer include:

  • age, as some bone cancers are more likely in certain age groups
  • having benign bone tumors, which may increase the risk of some bone cancers
  • multiple exostoses, a condition that people inherit, which may increase the risk of chondrosarcoma
  • Paget’s disease
  • history of radiation therapy

To diagnose bone cancer, doctors may perform or order:

Doctors will decide on the best course of treatment depending on:

  • the type and stage of bone cancer
  • the size and location of the tumor
  • a person’s age and overall health

Treatment options for bone cancer may include:

  • Surgery: Surgery aims to remove the whole tumor. A surgeon will use specific techniques to remove the cancerous cells while causing the least damage to surrounding healthy cells.
  • Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy drugs work to destroy cancer cells. People may have chemotherapy before surgery to reduce the tumor.
  • Radiation therapy: Doctors use high energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. People may have radiation therapy before or after surgery to remove all of the cancer.
  • Cryosurgery: This procedure uses liquid nitrogen to freeze cancer cells. People may undergo cryosurgery if traditional surgery is not possible.
  • Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy drugs target certain molecules that allow cancer cells to grow and spread.

Bone cancer in the hip is rare. Bone cancer may cause pain and swelling in the hip, but this is usually due to another condition. It is important to consult a doctor about persistent hip pain with an unknown cause.

Treatment for bone cancer in the hip will depend on the type and stage of the cancer and may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or targeted therapy drugs to remove and destroy cancer cells.