In cases where surgery is necessary, the treatment of choice is
complete removal of the tumor
. This involves opening the skin over the tumor, locating the osteochondroma, and cutting it off of the normal bone. Depending on the location of the osteochondroma, surgical removal of the lesion is usually successful.
Is osteochondroma serious?
An osteochondroma is a
benign
(noncancerous) tumor that develops during childhood or adolescence. It is an abnormal growth that forms on the surface of a bone near the growth plate. Growth plates are areas of developing cartilage tissue near the ends of long bones in children.
Can osteochondroma be cured?
Once your child stops growing, the osteochondroma stops growing too.
Many osteochondromas can be treated without surgery
. A solitary (only one in the body) osteochondroma can be removed if it causes pain or other problems. Some patients have many osteochondromas all over the body.
Should I do surgery for osteochondroma?
Most of the time,
an osteochondroma does not require surgery
. If the tumor causes pain, it can be removed by surgery.
How long does it take to recover from osteochondroma surgery?
It is normal for there to be some residual swelling and bruising at this time and it may take a few weeks more before returning to normal sports and activities. Sometimes some physio is needed to help get the joint moving and the muscles to recover, but it would usually take
about 6 weeks
in total to return to normal.
Is osteochondroma genetic disorder?
Hereditary multiple osteochondromas (HMO) is
a rare genetic disorder
characterized by multiple benign (noncancerous) bone tumors that are covered by cartilage (osteochondromas), often on the growing end (metaphysis) of the long bones of the legs, arms, and digits.
Who is most at risk for osteosarcoma?
Age. The risk of osteosarcoma is highest for those
between the ages of 10 and 30
, especially during the teenage growth spurt. This suggests there may be a link between rapid bone growth and risk of tumor formation. The risk goes down in middle age, but rises again in older adults (usually over the age of 60).
How does osteochondroma affect the body?
Osteochondroma is an
overgrowth of cartilage and bone
that happens at the end of the bone near the growth plate. Most often, it affects the long bones in the leg, the pelvis, or the shoulder blade. Osteochondroma is the most common noncancerous bone growth.
What does osteochondroma look like?
An osteochondroma looks like
a bony projection on the external surface of a bone, like a bony mushroom on a stalk, usually near a growth plate area
. It can occur in any bone but is seen most often around the knee or upper arm. This tumor generally grows with the child and stops growing once the child completes puberty.
Can an osteochondroma shrink?
Objective: Osteochondromas are the most common benign bone tumors, and thus far, their
spontaneous shrinkage is considered a rare phenomenon
.
What causes excess bone growth?
The excess bone can form spontaneously, but it is also spurred by an injury or trauma. An event as
mild as a vaccination
can cause a lesion to develop. Surgery to remove lesions is impossible because the procedure only triggers more excess bone formation and growth.
Can osteochondroma be misdiagnosed?
Osteochondroma is the most common benign bone neoplasm and is sometimes referred to as osteocartilaginous exostosis. The symptoms caused by osteochondroma are rare, especially the urogenital complications. Therefore, this
tumour is sometimes misdiagnosed
.
Is osteochondroma a bone spur?
An exostosis, also called a
bony spur
or osteoma, occurs when a bony growth extend beyond a bone’s usual smooth surface. Exostosis can cause chronic pain or irritation, depending on its size and location. Sometimes, cartilage will grow over an area of exostosis, which is called osteochondroma.
Why does my osteochondroma hurt?
In general, osteochondromas are hard masses that grow on top of the bone and
only cause pain when nerves, muscles, or tendons rub against them
. Keep in mind that each child can experience symptoms of osteochondroma differently, depending on the size and location of the tumor or tumors.
How do you know if a bone tumor is benign?
Symptoms.
A lump or swelling can be
the first sign of a benign tumor. Another is ongoing or increasing aching or pain in the region of the tumor. Sometimes tumors are found only after a fracture occurs where the bone has been weakened by the growing tumor.
What does bone spur pain feel like?
When that happens, you may feel some:
Knobby or bumpy areas
, especially in the fingers or toes. Numbness and weakness, especially in the legs if the spine has spurs. Pain near the affected joint, like heel pain.
