Non-cancerous tumours of the bone

A non-cancerous (benign) tumour of the bone is a growth that does not spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Non-cancerous tumours are not usually life-threatening.

Most non-cancerous bone tumours do not need any treatment. Some non-cancerous bone tumours grow into and destroy the surrounding bone and tissues. These bone tumours are usually removed with surgery.

Non-cancerous bone tumours are more common than bone cancer. The following are types of non-cancerous tumours of the bone found in adults.

Bone cysts are a common non-cancerous bone tumour. A bone cyst is a fluid-filled area in the bone. They are most often found in the long bones of the legs or arms, but they can also occur in the bones of the pelvis (hip) or spine (vertebrae).

Bone cysts are more common in children and teenagers, but they can occur in adults as well. Bone cysts often go away in children as they get older.

There are 2 types of bone cysts.

Unicameral bone cysts are the most common type of bone cysts. They are found in young men (under the age of 20) twice as often as they are found in young women. Unicameral bone cysts can cause a bone to break (fracture).

Aneurysmal bone cysts are less common than unicameral cysts. As they grow, they can cause pain, swelling and bone fractures.

Small bone cysts that don’t cause symptoms and don't increase the risk that the bone will break are usually just watched for any changes, such as growth. Larger cysts that are causing symptoms or weakening the bone are usually removed with surgery.

Osteochondroma is another common non-cancerous bone tumour. It starts in the epiphyseal (growth) plate of the bone and is made up of cartilage and bone. These tumours are usually found near the ends of the long bones in the legs, but they can also grow in the bones of the pelvis or shoulder blades (scapula).

Osteochondromas develop during childhood, but they may not be found until you are an adult.

Hereditary multiple osteochondromas is a rare inherited condition where a child develops many of these tumours. People who have this condition have a greater risk that an osteochondroma tumour will become a cancerous tumour called a secondary peripheral chondrosarcoma.

Giant cell tumours of bone are most often found in the metaphysis of the long bones in the leg, close to the knee joint. They are most likely to be found in people between 20 to 40 years old.

Giant cell tumours of bone often cause pain as they spread through the bone and into the surrounding tissues. In rare cases, giant cell tumours spread to the lungs and need to be removed with surgery.

Osteoid osteoma is usually found in the compact bone of the femur or tibia in a leg. It is typically smaller than 1.5 cm. Osteoid osteoma is most common in men younger than 35 years old. Osteoid osteoma tumours can cause pain and swelling. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used to control pain and reduce swelling. Surgery is not usually needed.

Enchondroma is found mostly in the bones of the hands or feet, but it can also be found in the long bones of the arms or legs. Enchondroma is most common in young adults, but it can develop at any age. Having many enchondroma tumours is a condition called enchondromatosis or Ollier disease.

Most enchondroma tumours don’t have to be removed with surgery unless they are growing, causing pain or there is a risk that the bone will break.

Osteoma is found in the bones of the skull, often around the sinuses around the nose (called the paranasal sinuses). They are most likely to be found in people between 30 to 50 years old. Osteoma tumours don’t usually cause any symptoms.

Chondroblastoma grows in the ends (epiphysis) of the long bones in the legs or arms. This tumour is usually found in young adults. While it can grow into surrounding tissues, it rarely spreads to other parts of the body.

Osteoblastoma is a slow-growing tumour that develops in the bones of the legs, hands, feet or spine. It is mostly found in young men.

The following non-cancerous bone tumours are rare:

• chondroma
• non-ossifying fibroma
• chondromyxoid fibroma (locally aggressive)
• bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (BPOP or Nora lesion)
• fibrous dysplasia