When do bone cancer symptoms first appear?

Bone cancer symptoms first occur when the tumor grows and exerts pressure on healthy bone tissue, according to Cancer.net. Pain around the area of the tumor is the first symptom, followed by swelling. Swelling around the area can take weeks to appear.

Pain may be intermittent at first but is constant as the cancer progresses, explains the American Cancer Society. Bone fractures are uncommon, and a limp caused by the cancer affecting leg bones is usually a symptom of late stage bone cancer. Other symptoms, such as weight loss, fatigue and trouble breathing, are usually a result of other conditions.