Bone Tumor

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ðŸĶī Bone Tumor

A bone tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue within a bone. It can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Bone tumors may originate in the bone (primary) or spread from other parts of the body (secondary or metastatic).

📂 Types of Bone Tumors

1. Benign (Non-cancerous):

These are more common and usually not life-threatening.

  • Osteochondroma – Most common benign tumor; often near growth plates
  • Enchondroma – Cartilage tumor inside the bone
  • Osteoid osteoma – Small, painful, usually in long bones
  • Giant cell tumor – Can be aggressive; affects ends of long bones
  • Fibrous dysplasia – Abnormal bone development with fibrous tissue

2. Malignant (Cancerous):

  • Osteosarcoma – Most common primary bone cancer; usually in teens
  • Ewing sarcoma – Aggressive tumor; affects children and young adults
  • Chondrosarcoma – Arises from cartilage; more common in adults
  • Multiple myeloma – Affects bone marrow and causes bone lesions
  • Metastatic tumors – From cancers like breast, lung, prostate (most common bone malignancy overall)

🧎 Causes & Risk Factors

  • Genetic mutations (e.g. in tumor suppressor genes)
  • Radiation exposure
  • Paget’s disease of bone
  • Genetic conditions (e.g., Li-Fraumeni syndrome, retinoblastoma)
  • Previous chemotherapy

ðŸĐš Symptoms

  • Pain (especially at night or with activity)
  • Swelling or lump
  • Fractures (due to weakened bone)
  • Reduced mobility or joint function
  • Unexplained weight loss or fatigue (in malignancies)

🔍 Diagnosis

  • Imaging:
    • X-ray (first step)
    • MRI or CT (detailed structure)
    • Bone scan or PET scan
  • Biopsy:
    • Confirms tumor type (needle or surgical biopsy)
  • Blood tests:
    • To assess general health or specific tumor markers

💊 Treatment

Depends on the type (benign vs malignant), size, and location:

  • Observation (for small, benign tumors)
  • Surgery:
    • Remove tumor
    • Limb-sparing procedures
    • Amputation (rare and only in severe cases)
  • Radiation therapy (used for some malignant types like Ewing sarcoma)
  • Chemotherapy (especially for osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma)
  • Targeted therapies (for advanced or metastatic cancers)

✅ Prognosis

  • Benign tumors: Excellent with proper management
  • Malignant tumors: Prognosis varies; early diagnosis and treatment improve outcomes significantly

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