What is bone tumor?

Bone tumors develop when cells within a bone divide uncontrollably, forming a lump or mass of abnormal tissue.

Most bone tumors are benign (not cancerous). Benign tumors are usually not life-threatening and, in most cases, will not spread to other parts of the body. Depending upon the type of tumor, treatment options are wide-ranging — from simple observation to surgery to remove the tumor.

Some bone tumors are malignant (cancerous). Malignant bone tumors can metastasize — or cause cancer cells to spread throughout the body. In almost all cases, treatment for malignant tumors involves a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.

Causes

For most bone tumors the cause is unknown.

Symptoms

• Patients with a bone tumor will often experience pain in the area of the tumor. This pain is generally described as dull and aching. It may worsen at night and increase with activity.
• Other symptoms of a bone tumor can include fever and night sweats.
• Many patients will not have any symptoms, but will note a painless mass instead.
• Although bone tumors are not caused by trauma, an injury can sometimes cause a tumor to start hurting. Injury can also cause a bone that is weakened by a tumor to fracture, or break. This may be severely painful. Occasionally, benign tumors may be discovered incidentally when an X-ray is taken for another reason, such as a sprained ankle or knee injury.