2 types of osteochondroma
Solitary-this is the most common tumor which accounts to 35% of all the benign tumors. This grows with a child or adolescent and usually stops at maturity. This is usually diagnosed in patients age 10 to 30 years old, it occurs equally in males and females. We do not know the cause of this and there is no way to prevent this from occurring in some patients.
Multiple Osteochondromatosis-this are multiple osteochondroma(more than 2) which is familial (it usually runs in families). It is 70% inherited and only 30% that occurs randomly. It usually occurs within the first three decades of life. Males are more often affected than females.
Symptoms
This can be affected depending where the lesions are located. A patient may have deformities of the forearms and a short stature. This is caused by abnormal growth from the growth plates.
Symptoms and signs of a tumor becoming cancerous
- Growth of osteochondroma after puberty
- Pain at the sight of an osteochondroma
- A cartilage cap larger than two centimeters
Diagnosis:
x-ray of the affected long bone
if cancer is suspected MRI and CT Scan is indicated.
Treatment:
Nonsurgical treatment-tumors with no signs of cancer and are asymptomatic are just watched carefully
Surgical Treatment-if the tumor causes pain and deformity the portion of the bone need to be removed
This is usually monitored by the Orthopedic surgeon.
American Academy of Osteopathic Surgeons
