[Medical Q&A] What is the most common benign bone tumor?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Shao Zengwu, Chief Physician and Professor of Union Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

The most common benign bone tumor is osteochondroma.

Osteochondroma, also known as "exostosis", refers to a bony protrusion covered with a cartilage cap on the surface of the bone. It is the most common benign bone tumor. It is usually located on the cortical bone on one side of the metaphysis and grows toward the bone surface. It is most common in the distal femur, proximal tibia and proximal humerus. It can be divided into single and multiple. The multiple has a genetic tendency and affects the development of the epiphysis or causes limb deformities, which is called multiple hereditary osteochondromatosis.

Clinically, osteochondromas grow slowly and stop growing in adulthood. They are usually painless or tender. They are often found by accidental sensation of a lump or during an X-ray examination. Symptoms may be caused by the compression of surrounding nerves or tendon tissues by the growth of the tumor. If the tumor suddenly grows or grows rapidly, the possibility of malignancy should be considered.

For asymptomatic patients, symptomatic supportive treatment is feasible. For patients with large tumors and clinical symptoms, such as compression of nerves, impact on adjacent joint activity, and a tendency to malignant transformation, surgical treatment can be considered. The prognosis is generally good, and the local recurrence rate is low. For multiple osteochondromatosis, it is difficult to achieve complete surgical resection. Surgical treatment can be performed on the site that causes symptoms, and regular follow-up visits are required. The malignant transformation rate of multiple osteochondromatosis is 10% to 20%, so be vigilant.