Benign Tumour
Cancer, The word sounds scary to many of us. It may occur anywhere in the body due to the uncontrollable growth of cells. When this occurs in solid tissues like bones, an abnormal lump or mass of tissue is formed, which is known as a tumor. However, not all tumors are cancerous or life-threatening. Benign tumors are non-cancerous tumors that do not spread to other tissues or organs of the body and grow locally; their growth rate depends on the type of tumor. If left untreated, benign tumors can cause loss of limb.
Fortunately, most of the bone tumors are benign. Surprisingly, their occurrence is more common in people younger than thirty. They can occur in any bone; they are more common in large bones like the femur (thigh bone), tibia (lower leg bone), humerus (upper arm bone), or pelvis (fusion of bones present in the lower part of the torso).
What are the types of benign tumors?
The common benign tumors that affect the bones include:
- Osteoid osteoma: Tumours that are usually small and occur in any bone, especially in the long bones, and cause pain and discomfort.
- Osteoblastoma: Rare and painful tumors that may develop in the spine, legs, hands, and feet.
- Osteochondroma: It is the most common type that may occur in any bone and is more common at the ends of long bones.
- Enchondroma: Cartilage tumour that occurs inside the bone.
- Nonossifying fibroma: Fibrous lesions that usually affect femur and tibia.
- Periosteal chondroma: Rare type of cartilage tumours that occur at the surface of the small bones, hands, and feet, as well as the femur and humerus.
- Giant cell tumora are tumours that occur at the ends of the bone and grow aggressively.
- Chondromyxoid fibroma: Extremely rare tumour found in the cartilage of the bones.
Other diseases or conditions that resemble bone tumors but are not actual tumors include:
- An aneurysmal bone cyst (a rare kind of blood-filled fibrous tumour-like cyst that usually develops in vertebrae and ends of long bones)
- A unicameral bone cyst (simple fluid-filled bone cysts that may enlarge and result in thinning of bone)
- Fibrous dysplasia (a congenital disorder during which the normal bone is replaced with fibrous tissue)
What are the causes of benign bone tumor?
The cause of the majority of the bone tumors remains unknown. Even though a genetic basis for some of them is being discovered. Many bone tumors occur in children, whose skeletal development is still in progress. Some of the tumors are often triggered by the hormones that stimulate growth and stop growing as the child’s skeletal development is complete. Hence, children aged 14–16 years (girls) and 16–19 years (boys) may have a greater tendency to develop benign bone tumors.
What are the symptoms of benign bone tumors?
Many people may not have any other symptoms other than a painless mass or lump. However, in some cases, the person may experience:
- Mild pain in the area of the tumor.
- Pain that may worsen during the night or with activity.
Often, tumor growth is associated with the weakening of the bones, which makes them more susceptible to fractures during an injury. Hence, they are usually discovered only after the bone fractures where the bone has been weakened. When a bony lesion is associated with pain, it needs immediate medical attention.
How is benign bone tumor diagnosed?
Since many conditions, such as infections, stress fractures, or cysts, can resemble bone tumors, the diagnosis usually involves thorough examinations using a number of tests. The physician obtains your medical history, social history, and family history.
A physical examination is done to check the tumor mass for any swelling or tenderness in the area or changes in the skin covering the tumor. The physician may also check the range of motion to assess if the tumor is affecting nearby joints.
Additionally, these tests are done for further diagnosis.
- Imaging tests: X-rays provide images of dense structures, such as bones, and help in the diagnosis of tumors. Your bones may show the impact of the tumor, depending on the tumor type. Some may dissolve the bone or make a hole in it, while others may lead to additional bony deposits. Additional tests, such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may be recommended for further evaluation.
- Biopsy: A biopsy is a confirmative test during which a sample of tissue is obtained from the tumor and is examined under a microscope for the presence of any abnormal cells. A biopsy should always be done by the doctor who is going to perform the final surgical procedure and should be the last procedure to be done after all the investigations are complete. The basic types of biopsies may include:
- Needle biopsy: A procedure performed under local anesthesia during which a needle is inserted into the tumour to obtain a tissue sample that is further analysed.
- Open biopsy: A procedure performed under general anesthesia during which a small incision is made to obtain the tissue sample for further analysis.
How are benign bone tumours treated?
Non-surgical treatments
The treatment for benign tumors depends on their type, size, location, and age of onset. Many times, the physician may follow a wait-and-watch approach. Regular X-rays or other tests are recommended during this period to ensure that they are not growing. Some benign tumors may disappear with time, especially those that occur in children. Medications may also be used effectively for the treatment.
Surgical treatment
Sometimes surgery may be necessary, which involves removing the tumor. Successful treatment involves the removal of the tumors with minimal damage to the surrounding healthy tissues and maximizing the patient's ability to return to their regular activities. It may also include the regeneration of healthy bone at the site of the tumor by filling the cavity with bone grafts. Minimally invasive procedures like radiofrequency ablation may also be used to treat these tumors.
What is the outlook of benign bone tumours?
The outlook for benign tumors is usually good, and the chances of recurrence are usually less than 5%. However, there is always a chance for a benign tumor to grow, recur, or even turn into cancer. After treatment, it is important to adhere to your physician’s recommendations for regular checkups and tests. This may help in the early detection of any recurrence and avoid complications. It is also important to monitor your body for any signs of recurrence.