Dorothy FarrarBenign bone tumors
As with other tissue growths, there are benign bone tumors in the skeletal system that are much more common than malignant ones. They usually do not cause any symptoms and are discovered more as an incidental finding on X-rays. The essential feature of benign tumors is that they do not form metastases.
What are benign bone tumors?
The most common types of benign bone tumors include osteochondromas, or osteomas. Osteochondromas can occur singly, but also in clusters. They are mostly hereditary and can also occur in growing children. They develop from the bone tissue and form bulbous outgrowths of hard bone substance on certain parts of the body.
They are most commonly found near the knee joint on the upper or lower leg, or near the elbow on the upper or lower arm. They form as they grow from a bone joint, grow out of the bone and form a cap of cartilage.
causes
Benign Bone Tumors – Osteomas form from the mature bones as a compact or spongy osteoma. A compact osteoma consists only of bone and occurs on the skull and face, often as an accompaniment to benign tumors of the soft lining of the brain (meningiomas). A spongy osteoma consists of bones and bone marrow cavities, giving them a spongy appearance.They can be a concomitant of a hereditary disease, such as This is the case, for example, with Gardiner’s syndrome, which is accompanied by intestinal polyps , skin tumors and skull osteomas. In addition, in the area of benign bone tumors, there are also bone fibromas originating from the connective tissue and bone hemangiomas originating from the vessels.
The causes of benign bone tumors are still largely unknown. Heredity seems to play an important role because some forms of osteochondroma and osteoma are hereditary. Whether chemical, physical or biochemical processes, e.g. B. radioactive radiation, as a possible cause, could not be clarified so far. Benign bone tumors seem to be more common, especially when bone is growing rapidly, because most benign bone tumors occur in people up to 30 years of age.
When to the doctor?
Unusual swellings under the skin or directly on the bones should always be examined and treated by a doctor. Ulcers or palpable hardening of the skin must always be examined by a doctor. If the changes increase in magnitude or intensity, a doctor is needed. If there are other symptoms, a doctor must also be consulted.
A doctor should be consulted in the event of general malaise, changes in known body awareness, general weakness or a loss of the usual level of performance. If the tumors lead to changes in locomotion, one-sided physical strain or muscle problems, a doctor’s visit is advisable. Exhaustion , tiredness or a persistent depressed mood should be clarified by a doctor. If there are impairments in coping with professional or private obligations, a doctor is needed.
A withdrawal behavior, headache , dizziness or fever are considered unusual and should be examined. If malfunctions occur, a doctor must be consulted as soon as possible. In the case of circulatory disorders, loss of muscle strength or nerve problems, a doctor is needed. A feeling of tension on the skin or cracks on the skin surface must be clarified by a doctor. If open wounds appear, sterile wound care is required so that no additional germs can get into the organism and cause further diseases.
symptoms and course
Typical symptoms of benign bone tumors:
Various symptoms can occur with benign bone tumors, depending on the type of tumor and its location. Most often, pain occurs in the affected areas because joints and bones have deformed. Bone growth can be inhibited, the deformation can affect nerves and vessels due to the pressure, and bone fractures can even occur. Benign bone tumors occur more frequently in certain body regions, mostly in the areas of the arm and leg close to the joints, but not in the rib area.
Benign bone tumors usually have a favorable prognosis, rarely degenerate, they are usually found more as an incidental finding on an X-ray. Those affected usually seek medical attention when they have symptoms because the tumor is pinching a nerve or the joints are no longer as mobile.
Diagnose
The diagnosis of benign bone tumors can usually be derived from the symptoms. A doctor will also perform stress tests and examine the blood flow in the affected areas more closely. However, he can only make a correct diagnosis on the basis of an X-ray image on which the bone changes are visible.
If the X-ray cannot tell whether the tumor is benign or malignant, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is performed. To be on the safe side, a tissue sample can also be taken and examined to confirm the diagnosis. The location of the benign bone tumors can also provide information, because some of these tumors tend to occur in certain areas of the body.
complications
The tumors trigger a feeling of fear in those affected. It is possible for a benign tumor to develop into a malignant one. This increases the risk of a fatal course of the disease. Mood swings , depressive states or lack of drive occur.
The tumors displace surrounding tissue and vessels as they grow. Depending on the position and position in the organism, this can lead to feelings of tension or tightness. In addition, the functional activity of affected organs is impaired, which can lead to interruptions. If the bone tumors press on the surrounding blood vessels, muscles or nerves, the organs are undersupplied, which also causes functional disorders.
The tumors restrict movement and can impede the activity of joints or make them impossible. This makes it difficult to move around or can no longer take place without a walking aid. Mental disorders can occur as a result of the disease.
In addition, the reduced exercise poses a risk of weight gain. This results in additional stress on the bones. The tumors put more strain on healthy areas of the skeletal system. This triggers overexertion, muscle and nerve problems in the affected regions. The benign tumors can cause deformations in the bones, which can result in permanent changes even after removal.
treatment and therapy
How the benign bone tumors are treated depends on what type of tumor it is, where it occurs and how big it is. The age of the patient also plays a role. If tumors only grow very slowly, cause hardly any symptoms and there is no risk of fractures, one waits and sees what happens next.
If necessary, benign bone tumors are surgically removed in a gentle manner and, if necessary, replaced with healthy, endogenous bone substance or artificial implants. Adhesions in the scar area can be loosened using ultrasound or a soft laser. If adhesions to the joints lead to restricted movement, physiotherapy or ergotherapy is prescribed.There are also benign bone tumors that go away on their own. They don’t need to be treated at all. Some can also heal after a broken bone. However, since there is a slight risk of malignant degeneration with osteochondromas, they should be treated as a precaution and surgically removed if necessary. Overall, patients who develop benign bone tumors have very good chances of recovery.
prevention
There are no known measures to prevent the development of benign bone tumors. But if there is any discomfort or visible deformity in the bone area, it is important to consult a doctor early to prevent fractures and other impairments, especially in growing children.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.