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.
The most common types of benign bone tumors include: Enchondroma: This type of tumor starts in the cartilage. These tumors are found inside the bone, in the marrow space. Osteochondroma: This type of tumor is made up of cartilage and bone and can get bigger while the skeleton is growing.
Osteosarcoma. Osteosarcoma is the most common form of bone cancer. In this tumor, the cancerous cells produce bone. This variety of bone cancer occurs most often in children and young adults, in the bones of the leg or arm.
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].
Benign aggressive bone tumors include giant cell tumors, chondroblastomas, unicameral bone cysts, and aneurysmal bone cysts. They are neoplasms that rarely metastasize but may be locally aggressive and frequently recur.
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.
While many benign tumors do not need treatment, some do, especially if they are causing symptoms. Usually if a benign tumor requires treatment, we remove it surgically. Whenever possible, we use minimally invasive techniques, which require small incisions and have minimal recovery time.
Imaging is used not only for local staging but also to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions. MRI is the preferred imaging modality for the evaluation of soft-tissue masses in clinical practice.
Benign bone tumors occur most often in children whose skeletons are still growing and people up to age 30. These tumors are often strongly affected by the hormones that cause growth. 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.
How are benign and malignant lesions diagnosed? Lesions in the bone are usually identified on radiographic images – chiefly X-rays – but also on CT and MRI scans. For those that are possibly cancerous, a biopsy is conducted to identify it.
The most common treatment for aneurysmal bone cyst and other benign tumors such as chondroblastoma, enchondroma, osteoblastoma, and chondromyxoid fibroma is marginal extracapsular excision using a high-speed drill and filling the cavity with autogenous bone graft or allograft.
The most common malignant bone tumors (MBT) in elderly patients include osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and chord sarcoma.
The most common primary malignant bone tumors are osteosarcoma (35%), chondrosarcoma (25%), and Ewing's sarcoma (16%). Less frequently (≤ 5%) occurring tumors are chordoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma of bone, and fibrosarcoma of bone. Vascular primary malignant tumors of bone and adamantinoma are very rare.
Benign tumors are not usually problematic. However, they can become large and compress structures nearby, causing pain or other medical complications. For example, a large benign lung tumor could compress the trachea (windpipe) and cause difficulty in breathing. This would warrant urgent surgical removal.
Lipomas: Lipomas are formed by fat cells. They are the most common type of benign tumor. Meningiomas: These tumors develop in the brain and spinal cord membranes and are most commonly benign.
Cysts that appear uniform after examination by ultrasound or a computerized tomography (CT) scan are almost always benign and should simply be observed. If the cyst has solid components, it may be benign or malignant and should have further evaluation.
Bone tumors can affect any bone in the body and develop in any part of the bone — from the surface to the center of the bone, called the bone marrow. A growing bone tumor — even a benign tumor — destroys healthy tissue and weakens bone, making it more vulnerable to fracture.
New cells form when your body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can divide without stopping and may form tumor. Treatment often involves surgery. Benign tumors usually don't grow back.
A benign tumor is not a malignant tumor, which is cancer. It does not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body the way cancer can. In most cases, the outlook with benign tumors is very good. But benign tumors can be serious if they press on vital structures such as blood vessels or nerves.
“Most benign tumors aren't life-threatening. They can be left alone as they are unlikely to cause damage to any other areas of your body. In fact, many individuals carry benign tumors that don't require treatment, such as moles, throughout their lives.”
Blood tests, a biopsy, or imaging—like an X-ray—can determine if the tumor is benign or malignant.
Even benign tumors can be uncomfortable. If you feel or see a lump, visit an oncologist for an examination. If the doctor confirms that you have a malignant tumor, you will likely feel some uncertainty and fear. However, you can have peace of mind that the doctor will develop an effective treatment plan.
If not removed entirely by surgery, the growth of benign tumors should be monitored regularly by the patient and every six months to a year by the physician. In cases of sarcoma (cancerous growth), patients should have regular rechecks of their condition to monitor whether the cancer has metastasized or recurred.
Still others (eg, giant cell tumor, osteoblastoma) can be aggressive and require surgery and other therapies. Malignant transformation is rare for all benign bone tumors, but patients with these tumors should be monitored with serial imaging.