Can a benign bone tumor turn cancerous?
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.
What is the most common benign tumor of bone?
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.
Are bone tumors usually benign?
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 (femur), shinbone (tibia), upper arm bone (humerus) and pelvis.
Do benign bone tumors hurt?
Benign tumors may be painless, but often they cause bone pain. The pain can be severe. Pain may occur when at rest or at night and tends to progressively worsen.
Do benign tumors have to be removed?
In many cases, benign tumors need no treatment. Doctors may simply use “watchful waiting” to make sure they cause no problems. But treatment may be needed if symptoms are a problem. Surgery is a common type of treatment for benign tumors.
How can you tell the difference between a benign and malignant bone tumor?
Benign lesions form in a bone and can grow locally but do not spread to other organs to cause harm. Malignant lesions, more commonly referred to as cancer, are lesions which may form and develop in the bone but have the capacity to spread to other areas of the body and continue to grow.
Should I worry about a benign tumor?
Even though most benign tumors are harmless and can be left alone, it’s important they be monitored. And any tumor that is painful or growing requires a visit to the doctor.
How do you know if a tumor is benign or malignant?
When the cells in the tumor are normal, it is benign. Something just went wrong, and they overgrew and produced a lump. When the cells are abnormal and can grow uncontrollably, they are cancerous cells, and the tumor is malignant.
What is a lesion on the tibia?
Bone lesions are areas of bone that are changed or damaged. Causes of bone lesions include infections, fractures, or tumors. When cells within the bone start to divide uncontrollably, they are sometimes called bone tumors. Most bone lesions are benign, meaning they are not cancerous.
What is the most common benign bone tumor?
Updated: Oct 24, 2018. Osteochondromas are the most common type of benign bone tumor, making up about 35% to 40% of all cases.
What causes benign bone tumor?
Causes of benign tumors include: Genetics. Diet. Stress. Toxins: exposure to radiation or other environmental toxins. Inflammation or injection. Trauma or injury to a specific area.
How often are tumors cancerous?
Sarcomas are a category of rare, malignant (cancerous) tumors that originate from connective tissues, such as bone, muscle, fat or cartilage. There are about 14,000 new cases of sarcoma per year in the United States. About 1 in 23,000 people per year will be diagnosed with sarcoma.
What are the symptoms and signs of bone cancer?
Some of the warning signs of bone cancer include: Pain in the bone and swelling. Unexplained bone fractures; Fatigue; Fever; Weight loss; or Anemia.