Procedures
While benign bone tumors typically stay in place and are unlikely to be fatal, they’re still abnormal cells and may require treatment. Benign tumors can grow and could compress your healthy bone tissue and cause future issues. Malignant tumors are cancerous. Malignant bone tumors can cause cancer to spread throughout the body.
Medication
- Conventional ("classic"): The most prevalent subtype, comprising 80% of all osteosarcomas. Classically high-grade, arising from the intramedullary canal. ...
- Telangiectatic: <4% of osteosarcomas. Dilated hemorrhagic sinusoids are seen with small amounts of osteoid. ...
- Low-grade: <2% of osteosarcomas. ...
- Small cell: 1.5% of osteosarcomas. ...
Therapy
Symptoms of benign bone tumors include:
- An obvious swelling or lump.
- Pain, possibly severe, that increases in intensity. It may hurt even when you’re resting.
- Breaks or fractures due to bones made weaker by a growing bone tumor.
Nutrition
When a different type of cancer spreads from another site, such as a breast cancer, to the bone, it is considered a secondary bone cancer, also called a metastatic bone cancer. An aneurysmal bone cyst is a rare, benign bone tumor or neoplasm.
Specialist To Consult
How dangerous are benign bone tumors?
What are the most common primary malignant bone tumors?
What are the symptoms of a bone tumor?
Is a bone cyst considered a cancer or a tumor?
How often are bone tumors benign?
Giant cell tumour of bone GCTs are usually benign (80%). However, recurrence after excision may occur in 20–50%, with 10% becoming malignant on recurrence [10].
Are most bone tumors benign?
Bone tumors develop when cells within a bone divide uncontrollably, forming a lump or mass of abnormal tissue. Most bone tumors are benign (not cancerous). Benign tumors are usually not life-threatening and, in most cases, will not spread to other parts of the body.
Are benign bone tumors more common than malignant?
Benign bone tumors are much more common than malignant bone tumors, and they almost never become cancerous. These types of benign bone tumors are found most often in children and young adults: Nonossifying fibromas are usually found in the long bones, such as the thighbone (femur), that are actively growing.
Are bone tumors common?
Bone cancer is rare, making up less than 1 percent of all cancers. In fact, noncancerous bone tumors are much more common than cancerous ones. The term "bone cancer" doesn't include cancers that begin elsewhere in the body and spread (metastasize) to the bone.
What are the chances of a bone tumor being cancerous?
Most bone tumors are benign (not cancerous), but a few are cancerous. Known as primary bone cancers, these are quite rare, accounting for less than 0.2 percent of all cancers. The majority of cases of cancer involving bone are metastatic, meaning the disease has spread to the bones from another place in the body.
How do you know if a bone tumor is benign?
It's rare that your provider will order blood or urine tests to diagnose a benign blood tumor. A bone tumor specialist will likely order a bone scan, CT scan, MRI scan or biopsy. The appropriate first step is an initial evaluation and X-rays. Your pediatrician or primary care provider can order these first tests.
Are benign bone tumors rare?
Abstract. Primary benign bone tumors are uncommon and most often affect children and young adults. They typically are detected incidentally on imaging, though some patients present with pain, swelling, or other symptoms.
Can benign bone tumors be removed?
Certain benign tumors can spread or become cancerous (metastasize). Sometimes your doctor may recommend removing the tumor (excision) or using other treatment techniques to reduce the risk of fracture and disability. Some tumors may come back–even repeatedly–after appropriate treatment.
Is a bone tumor hard or soft?
It appears as a hard, painless, stationary lump at the end of a bone, with a cartilage cap that allows it to continue to grow. A surgeon can remove this tumor if it begins to cause pain or if the bone is in danger of fracturing.
What is the most common bone tumor?
Osteosarcoma. Osteosarcoma (also called osteogenic sarcoma) is the most common primary bone cancer. It starts in an early form of bone cells. It most often occurs in young people between the ages of 10 and 30, but about 1 in 10 osteosarcomas develop in people older than 60.
What is the most common bone tumor in adults?
In adults, the most common primary bone cancer is chondrosarcoma. This is followed by osteosarcomas, chordomas, and Ewing tumors. Other types of bone cancer are much less common. In children and teens, osteosarcoma and Ewing tumors are much more common than chondrosarcoma or other types of bone cancers.
Who is at risk for bone tumors?
Family history of certain genetic diseases or rare cancers. For instance, people with Li-Fraumeni syndrome may have an increased risk of bone cancer. Children who have the inherited form of an eye cancer called retinoblastoma are also at greater risk.
Which bone tumors are malignant?
Malignant bone tumors include:Chondrosarcoma.Chordoma.Ewing's sarcoma.Neuroblastoma.Osteosarcoma.
What is the most common bone tumor in adults?
In adults, the most common primary bone cancer is chondrosarcoma. This is followed by osteosarcomas, chordomas, and Ewing tumors. Other types of bone cancer are much less common. In children and teens, osteosarcoma and Ewing tumors are much more common than chondrosarcoma or other types of bone cancers.
Can you tell if a tumor is benign with an MRI?
Despite the superiority of MRI in delineating soft-tissue tumours, its ability is limited because most of these tumours have a non-specific appearance on MR images. Thus, it is often impossible using MR to determine whether the lesion is benign or malignant [5-8].
Do bone tumors need to be removed?
These may only need to be watched to make sure they aren't growing or becoming aggressive. Usually, however, surgery is needed. Surgery removes the tumor and rebuilds new, healthy bone where the tumor was removed.
What percentage of bone tumors are benign?
Osteochondromas are the most common, accounting for 30% to 35% of benign bone tumors. Giant cell tumors account for 20%, osteoblastomas for 14%, and osteoid osteomas for 12%. All others are less common. Diagnosis mainly is via imaging; biopsy rarely is required.
Can bone tumors be detected on imaging?
Primary benign bone tumors are uncommon and most often affect children and young adults. They typically are detected incidentally on imaging, though some patients present with pain, swelling, or other symptoms.
Is bone tumor benign?
Bone Tumors: Benign Bone Tumors. Primary benign bone tumors are uncommon and most often affect children and young adults. They typically are detected incidentally on imaging, though some patients present with pain, swelling, or other symptoms.
Can osteoid osteoma be aggressive?
Others (eg, osteoid osteoma, aneurysmal bone cyst, simple bone cyst) can cause symptoms and require percutaneous ablation or surgery. Still others (eg, giant cell tumor, osteoblastoma) can be aggressive and require surgery and other therapies.
What is the most common bone tumor?
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the most common type of benign bone tumor is an osteochondroma. This type accounts for between 35 and 40 percent of all benign bone tumors. Osteochondromas develop in adolescents and teenagers.
How to treat bone tumors?
Cryosurgery is another treatment possibility. This treatment involves killing cancer cells by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. A hollow tube is inserted into the tumor, and liquid nitrogen or argon gas is pumped in. In some cases, cryosurgery can be used to treat bone tumors instead of regular surgery.
What is a biopsy of a tumor?
Your doctor may want to perform a biopsy. In this test, a sample of the tissue that makes up your tumor will be removed. The sample is examined in a laboratory under a microscope. The main types of biopsies are a needle biopsy and an incisional biopsy.
Why is bone tissue so active?
This could be because a bone is growing, such as in young people, or it could mean a tumor is producing abnormal bone tissue. This test is more reliable in people who’ve stopped growing.
How is bone cancer treated?
Bone cancer is usually treated with surgery. In surgery, your entire tumor is removed. Your surgeon carefully examines the margins of your tumor to make sure no cancer cells are left after surgery. If your bone cancer is in an arm or leg, your surgeon may use what’s known as limb salvage surgery.
What test can be used to diagnose bone tumors?
A lab will analyze these fluids to detect different proteins that may indicate the presence of a tumor or other medical problems. An alkaline phosphatase test is one common tool doctors use to diagnose bone tumors.
How to get a tumor out of bone?
If a radiologist does the needle biopsy, they’ll use the image from the X-ray, MRI, or CT scan to help find the tumor and know where to insert the needle.
What is a benign bone tumor?
Benign bone tumors include: Osteoblastomas, which affect children and adolescents. These tumors can be large, aggressive and painful. They are best treated by a multidisciplinary team of oncologists, orthopedic surgeons and pain management specialists. They sometimes cause spinal deformity and paralysis.
What are the most common types of bone tumors?
The most common ones are endochondromas, osteochondromas, nonossifying fibromas, chondroblastomas, osteoid osteomas, osteoblastomas, periosteal chondromas, giant cell tumors and chondromyxoid fibromas. Some conditions such as aneurysmal bone cyst, unicameral bone cyst and fibrous dysplasia are grouped with benign bone tumors. They often are treated in a similar way, although they aren't truly tumors.
What is the name of the tumor that causes pain at night?
Osteoid osteoma, which is a small bone tumor (smaller than two centimeters). It usually affects adolescents, causing pain at night. It may also result in spinal deformity. Treatment depends the tumor's size and location. Surgery may be necessary if spine stability is compromised.
How do you know if you have a tumor?
Symptoms. A lump or swelling can be the first sign of a benign tumor. Another is ongoing or increasing aching or pain in the region of the tumor. Sometimes tumors are found only after a fracture occurs where the bone has been weakened by the growing tumor.
When do bone tumors stop growing?
Many benign tumors stop growing once a child's bones do. This usually is between the ages 14 to 16 in girls and 16 to 19 in boys.
Where do bone tumors occur?
Most bone tumors are benign, and unlikely to spread. They can occur in any bone, but they usually are found in the biggest ones. These include the thighbone (fe mur), shinbone (tibia), upper arm bone (humerus) and pelvis. Some types are more common in specific places such as the spine or near the growth plates of the largest bones.
Can a tumor stop growing after a fracture?
The type of tumor, its size, its location and how old the individual is all affect treatment decisions. Some tumors will heal after a fracture. Others may stop growing if the patient is near maturity when the tumor is discovered. Still other tumors are only discovered when an X-ray is taken for another reason.
What is a benign bone tumor?
Benign and Malignant Bone Tumors. A tumor is a lump or mass of tissue that forms when cells divide uncontrollably. For most bone tumors, the cause is unknown. A growing tumor may replace healthy tissue with abnormal tissue. It may weaken the bone, causing it to break ( fracture ). Aggressive tumors can lead to disability or death, ...
What is the most common bone cancer?
Multiple Myeloma, the most common primary bone cancer, is a malignant tumor of bone marrow. It affects approximately 20 people per million people each year. Most cases are seen in patients aged 50 to 70 years old. Any bone can be involved. Osteosarcoma is the second most common bone cancer.
How do you know if you have a bone tumor?
Most patients with a bone tumor will experience pain in the area of the tumor. The pain is generally described as dull and achy. It may or may not get worse with activity. The pain often awakens the patient at night. Although tumors are not caused by trauma, occasionally injury can cause a tumor to start hurting. Injury can cause a bone weakened by tumor to break, which often leads to severe pain. Some tumors can also cause fevers and night sweats. Many patients will not experience any symptoms, but will instead note a painless mass. Medical history and physical exam: Tell the doctor your complete medical history. This includes any medications you take, details about any previous tumors or cancers that you or your family members may have had, and symptoms you are experiencing. Your doctor will physically examine you. The focus is on the tumor mass, tenderness in bone and any impact on joints and/or range of motion. In some cases, the doctor may want to examine other parts of your body to rule out cancers that can spread to bone.
How does bone cancer spread?
Malignant tumors can spread cancer cells throughout the body ( metastasize ). This happens via the blood or lymphatic system. Cancer that begins in bone ( primary bone cancer) is different from cancer that begins somewhere else in the body and spreads to bone ( secondary bone cancer ). The four most common types of primary bone cancer are:
How often do you need to see a doctor for bone tumors?
These can confirm that the tumor is actually gone. You may need to have regular doctor visits and tests every few months. When the tumor disappears, it is important to monitor your body for its possible return (relapse).
What tests are needed to diagnose a tumor?
You may also require blood and or urine tests. If these tests are not adequate to diagnose your tumor, you may require a biopsy. A biopsy involves removing a sample of tissue from the tumor. The tissue sample is examined under a microscope. There are two basic methods of doing a biopsy.
Where is the bone tumor in Figure 2A?
Figure 2a: Shows a bone tumor in the middle of the femur exhibiting a combination of characteristics.
Where is a benign bone tumor located?
It occurs most often between the ages of 20-40 years. GCT is usually located around the knee, either the distal femur or proximal tibia. The distal radius, proximal humerus, distal tibia and sacrum are other common sites. Unlike other benign lesions, GCT can metastasize to a distant site such as the lungs, but this is rare.
What is a bone tumor?
A benign bone tumor that produces bone and is small. The patient presents with a small, painful lesion. Other symptoms include tenderness, swelling and a limp. Pain is sharp, deep, usually worse at night and relieved with aspirin. X-rays have a classic pattern which shows a small round or oval focus called a nidus. These tumors usually occur between the ages of 10-20, rarely over age thirty. They are most commonly located in the tibia and femur, but have occurred in almost every bone. Treatment used to be by excision only. Now, there is a newer, non-invasive procedure called heat ablation which is performed by our radiologists. This procedure involves placing an electrode into the tumor which is heated causing a 'microwave' treatment to the tumor. Patients receive general anesthesia for the procedure, but go home the same day with a bandaid over the probe site. Surgical excision involves a two to four day hospital stay. Incomplete excision or curettages (scraping out) of the lesion may lead to tumor recurrence.
What is the treatment for a bone tumor on x-ray?
Treatment is either curettage with bone grafting or excision (removal) in suitable locations. These tumors have the highest rate of recurrence (40%) of any benign cartilage lesion.
How to treat a giant cell lung tumor?
Treatment consists of curettage with cement packing. Local recurrences occur in a low percentage of patients, so close follow-up is mandatory. If the tumor is located in the proximal fibula, a resection is done. A wide resection with allograft reconstruction is the treatment of choice for very large, poorly defined tumors with soft tissue mass or pathologic fracture. Although rare, giant cell tumors can spread to the lungs. Thus, a chest x-ray must always be done at follow-up visits in addition to an x-ray of the body part to rule out distant metastases and local recurrence. Treatment for the rare lung metastases involves chemotherapy and resection of the lung nodules.
What causes bone tumors?
The most common benign tumor of bone probably caused by a genetic defect in the cartilage of an embryo (unborn child ). They occur at the ends of bones at any age. The patient presents with a hard, painless mass fixed on the bone. On x-ray they appear as bony outgrowths of the cortex (side of the bone) projecting away from the joints. Examination of this tumor's tissue shows a cartilage cap which causes its growth, very similar to the growth of a normal bone. These tumors usually do not cause the patient trouble. However, if pain develops or they fracture or interfere with surrounding vessels and nerves, the tumor is removed (excised). Recurrence is unlikely, as is the possibility of the benign tumor turning malignant.
What does a bone tumor look like on an x-ray?
On x-ray they appear as bony outgrowths of the cortex (side of the bone) projecting away from the joints. Examination of this tumor's tissue shows a cartilage cap which causes its growth, very similar to the growth of a normal bone. These tumors usually do not cause the patient trouble.
Why does my tumor grow faster during pregnancy?
The rate of the tumor's growth seems to be accelerated during pregnancy because of the increase in hormones. A pathologic fracture may occur, as well as adjacent joint effusions (fluid in the joint). On x-ray, there is thinning and expansion of the cortex, erosion and possible cortex perforation and associated soft tissue mass. The giant cell tumor tissue is very vascular.
What are Benign Bone Tumors and Cysts?
Benign bone tumors and cysts are non-cancerous, abnormal growths of tissue in children’s bones. Benign tumors and cysts don’t spread to other parts of the body and can often be treated without surgery. Benign bone tumors are more common than malignant tumors and only rarely degenerate into malignant tumors. As benign tumors, they can become problematic and require expert treatment if they weaken the surrounding bones or cause pain from pressure on surrounding nerves or blood vessels.
What are the signs and symptoms of Benign Bone Tumors and Cysts?
When a benign bone tumor or cysts grows large enough to interfere with function or movement, your child may experience pain or a dull ache in the affected area.
Where are aneurysmal cysts found?
Aneurysmal and unicameral (simple) bone cysts: Cysts are cavities in bones that fill with fluid, and are most commonly found in the arms, shoulders or legs. Simple cysts are usually painless but can cause fractures. An aneurysmal cyst is a group of blood-filled cysts that can deform the bone.
Where are non-ossifying fibromas found?
Non-ossifying fibromas (NOFs):The most common benign bone tumor, NOFs are typically found in the lower thighbone (femur) or the ends of the shinbone (tibia). They do not become cancerous.
What is the difference between a CT and MRI?
CT (computed tomography) scan: Uses X-rays to make detailed images of the bones. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan: Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to take detailed pictures of the injured area. Bone scans: Uses a small, safe amount of radioactive substance to make detailed images of the bones. Read more +.
Where are osteochondroma found?
Osteochondroma: These tumors are found in the arms, shoulders and legs. They develop in the growth plates at the ends of the bones, areas that later harden when children become full-grown. Extra bone and cartilage can form one tumor or several. (Learn more about growth plate injuries .)
Is a benign bone tumor more common than a malignant tumor?
Benign bone tumors are more common than malignant tumors and only rarely degenerate into malignant tumors. As benign tumors, they can become problematic and require expert treatment if they weaken the surrounding bones or cause pain from pressure on surrounding nerves or blood vessels.
What is the most common bone cancer?
Multiple myeloma is the most common primary bone cancer. It is a malignant tumor of bone marrow—the soft tissue in the center of many bones that produces blood cells. Any bone can be affected by this cancer. Multiple myeloma affects approximately seven people per 100,000 each year.
What is a bone tumor?
Bone Tumor. Bone tumors develop when cells within a bone divide uncontrollably, forming a lump or mass of abnormal tissue. Most bone tumors are benign (not cancerous). Benign tumors are usually not life-threatening and, in most cases, will not spread to other parts of the body. Depending upon the type of tumor, ...
How do you remove a malignant tumor?
Generally, malignant tumors are removed by surgery. Often, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are used in combination with surgery.
What are the symptoms of a bone tumor?
It may worsen at night and increase with activity. Other symptoms of a bone tumor can include fever and night sweats.
Where does chondrosarcoma occur?
It is most often seen in patients between the ages of 40 and 70. Most cases occur around the hip, pelvis, or shoulder area. In most cases, surgery is the only treatment used for chondrosarcoma.
What imaging is needed to diagnose a tumor?
Other imaging studies. If necessary, your doctor will order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), or bone scan to help further evaluate your tumor.
Can bone tumors be caused by trauma?
Although bone tumors are not caused by trauma, an injury can sometimes cause a tumor to start hurting. Injury can also cause a bone that is weakened by a tumor to fracture, or break. This may be severely painful.
