Most benign bone tumors do not cause symptoms and do not require treatment. However, if symptoms do develop, a doctor should definitely be consulted.
What are benign bone tumors?
Bone tumors, by definition, are growths in bony tissue. They are divided into primary and secondary bone tumors. Primary bone tumors arise from the bone tissue itself and can be benign or malignant. Benign bone tumors grow slowly and do not metastasize. Secondary bone tumors are malignant. They result from metastases of a cancerous tumor from another organ, such as the breast or lung. In most cases, however, there is a benign bone tumor. There are two major groups:
First, there are large, painful tumor formations that, in the worst case, can cause deformity of the spine or paralysis. Benign bone tumors that are smaller than two centimeters are called osteoid osteomas. They can cause pain, especially at night, and can also affect the stability of the spine. The most common type is osteochondroma. This is a mushroom-shaped tumor that forms preferentially in the ends of long tubular bones. In most cases, osteochondromas occur sporadically. In rare cases, there is a multiple osteochondroma, in which many tumors form at once, usually in childhood.
Causes
The causes of benign bone tumors are often not entirely clear. The types osteochondroma and osteoma may be inherited. Other possible causes discussed are external chemical and physical influences, which include exposure to nuclear radiation or injury. Benign bone tumors occur particularly frequently when there is rapid bone growth. Most of those affected are therefore found up to the age of 30. Growth hormones may influence the risk of benign bone tumor.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Benign bone tumors can cause very different symptoms and symptoms. Depending on the type and location of the tumor, there may be pain in the affected area, swelling, and fractures. A tumor near a joint can cause a joint effusion, which can be seen externally and is usually very painful. Pressure damage to nerves and vessels is typical of benign bone tumors. In addition, bone growth is inhibited and there is an acute risk of bone and joint deformity. In severe cases, a bone tumor leads to restricted movement. The affected person then feels severe pain even with slight movements, which makes physical work and sports activities considerably more difficult. Benign bone tumors are rarely life-threatening, however. The symptoms can gradually become more severe, but can also occur with the same intensity throughout a person’s life. Small tumors often go unnoticed by the sufferer and are only detected during a preventive check-up. Large bone tumors may be detected externally, for example when an effusion forms or the bone becomes deformed. Metastasis or recurrence may occur. The development of chronic pain is also possible if the tumor is treated too late or not at all.
Diagnosis and progression
To detect benign bone tumors, pain and function tests are performed, such as a stress test. Blood flow to the affected bones and joints is also examined during diagnosis. If the disease is very advanced, deformities of the joints and bones may be seen. A final diagnosis is made with the help of an X-ray, on which typical changes can be seen. A CT, MRI and/or a tissue sample provide certainty as to whether the tumor is benign or malignant. Furthermore, certain types of benign bone tumors occur preferentially in certain locations. For example, osteochondromas are most often found at the ends of the lower and thigh bones near the joints. Most sufferers only go to the doctor if their benign bone tumor is painfully pressing on a nerve or restricting movement at a joint. Often, a benign bone tumor remains undetected and symptom-free. Usually, the growth only grows as long as the bone grows. Therefore, the tumors are found primarily in children and adolescents. Certain types of tumors can develop into malignant tumors.Overall, however, the chances of recovery from benign bone tumors are very good.
Complications
In many cases, these tumors do not require treatment or examination by a physician. There is usually no pain or other symptoms, and the patient’s quality of life is not affected by the disease. However, treatment is necessary when these tumors cause discomfort. Pain occurs in the affected bones and the bones can be broken much more easily, increasing the patient’s risk of accidents. Likewise, various deformations of the bones and joints occur, which can lead to pain or restricted movement of the patient. In children, there is reduced growth of the bones. This can also lead to discomfort after bone fractures, when the bones no longer grow together properly. It is not uncommon to experience pain at rest in addition to pain on exertion, which can negatively affect the sleep of the affected person. The diagnosis is usually made only by chance. A specific diagnosis can only be made if symptoms are present. During treatment, there are no further complications. The tumors can be removed relatively easily, so that the complaints disappear afterwards. Life expectancy is usually not reduced. However, in some cases, bone cancer may develop.
When should you go to the doctor?
People who suffer from changes in the skeleton of the bone must consult a doctor. If swelling occurs without external effects or ulcers form on the body, this is considered unusual and should be clarified. If there are restrictions of movement, a one-sided posture or incorrect strain on the body, a visit to the doctor is necessary. If there is a feeling of tightness on the skin, discoloration or cracks in the skin, a doctor should be consulted to clarify the symptoms. If there are wounds, bleeding or leakage of other body fluids, a doctor should be consulted immediately. A reduction in the usual physical strength and performance as well as complaints of the muscles, tendons or nerves, should be examined and treated. If disturbances of the blood circulation occur, it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible. If there is bone pain, a feeling of warmth on the skin, increased temperature or fever, a doctor must clarify the complaints. If the affected person suffers from increased tiredness, fatigue, unsteadiness of gait or dizziness, he should seek medical treatment. If inner restlessness, psychological problems or behavioral abnormalities occur, a doctor is needed. Patients diagnosed with benign bone tumors should consult a physician as soon as there are changes in abnormalities or existing symptoms become more widespread.
Treatment and therapy
The particular treatment depends on what type of tumor it is, how large it is, where it is located, and how old the patient is. Most benign bone tumors are surgically removed as gently as possible. Either artificial implants or the patient’s own healthy bone tissue is placed in its place. After the operation, adhesions in the scar area may be loosened by ultrasound or soft laser. If the ability to move is restricted by adhesions at the joints, physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy are prescribed. For growths that grow very slowly and do not cause symptoms, it may often be sufficient to monitor the progress for changes. Some benign bone tumors regress on their own after some time and do not require any treatment. There are also tumors that heal after a bone fracture. If an osteochondroma is present, it should be surgically removed, as this benign type of tumor can develop into bone cancer in ten to 20 percent of cases.
Outlook and prognosis
The prognosis of benign bone tumors depends on the type and group affiliation of the tumor. In principle, a patient can have a good lifestyle despite the bone tumors without shortening his or her life with the disease. However, it is recommended to remove the tumor, because it can cause complications and immense deterioration of the favorable prognosis. There are tumors that press on surrounding regions in the body, causing discomfort.Vessels and other supply lines of the organism are restricted in their functional activity by the tumors and trigger symptoms. Paralysis or severe pain may occur. Without treatment and removal of the tumor, the symptoms gradually increase. The patient’s quality of life decreases. With a surgical intervention, the diseased tissue is removed, so that the developed symptoms recede. Complications may arise during the treatment and there is a possibility that surrounding areas may suffer irreparable damage. The most common type of benign bone tumor is a fungal type tumor. Often, the osteochondroma can be dislodged by ultrasound or laser technology and removed from the organism. If medical care does not take place, the patient bears the risk that the tumor will mutate into a malignant tumor as the disease progresses.
Prevention
To date, there are no known ways to prevent benign bone tumors. In case of complaints such as pain, restricted movement or even deformation, a doctor should definitely be consulted. This is especially true for children who are still in the growth phase.
Aftercare
Benign bone tumors may also require surgical removal and prolonged monitoring. The benign nature of these types of tumors refers only to the tumor mass itself. It is not life-threatening or fatal in most cases. Nevertheless, benign bone tumors can lead to bone fractures and other health consequences. The term “benign bone tumors” describes slow-growing tumors that become lodged in the cartilage mass or bone tissue. The sharp boundary and lack of soft tissue involvement are typical characteristics of benignity. Nevertheless, these bone tumors usually need to be removed because benign tumors such as these can lead to pain and bone fractures. In about half of benign bone tumors, follow-up after surgical removal of the tumor mass is required only until the wound heals. Differentiation from tumor-like lesions-such as bone cysts, ganglia, fibrous dysplasia, or fibrous cortical defects-should be performed. It is well known that the existence of benign bone tumors such as giant cell tumor may well lead to metastasis. In this case, the treatment must be appropriate. It includes medical aftercare. This can extend over five or ten years. From a medical point of view, tumor-like lesions are also precarious. These, like an aneurysmal bone cyst, can lead to destruction or joint loss.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Benign bone tumors generally do not require treatment if they do not constrict physical structures or cause dysfunction. However, there are some things patients can do as part of self-help. If the tumor has not been operated on, affected individuals should keep up with regular checkups or see their doctor if new or changing symptoms develop to avoid complications. Even if there are no symptoms, self-help is helpful in everyday life in the long term. This is because benign bone tumors can also increase the risk of fracture of the affected bone. Here, patients have two options to prevent this risk in everyday life: Firstly, it is important to avoid heavy or abrupt loading, especially the combination of twisting and compression of the bone. Secondly, it is also important to build up a muscle corset through appropriate training, which protects and stabilizes the bone structure. Even after surgery for a benign bone tumor, the patient’s cooperation is important. Particularly in cases of low weight-bearing capacity or functional limitations, the patient learns exercises in physical or occupational therapy that provide muscular support for the bone and rebuild its functionality. These exercises can then be continued at home on the patient’s own initiative. In addition, the patient can also accelerate the regeneration of the skin incision required for the operation through consistent scar care.
