Bone Neoplasms

Published on 06/06/2015 by admin

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Last modified 06/06/2015

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60 Bone Neoplasms

Osteosarcoma

Clinical Presentation

The most common clinical symptom at presentation is pain, often described as dull and aching, and typically of several months’ duration. Other complaints include a palpable mass with or without swelling. Systemic complaints such as fevers, weight loss, and decreased appetite are rare. Eighty percent of OS occur in the extremities, and on examination, a mass (tender or nontender) may be noted (Figure 60-1). The examination may also reveal decreased range of motion or muscle atrophy. Regional lymphadenopathy is rare. The most common sites of disease include the distal femur, proximal tibia, and proximal humerus, although OS may occur in any bone. Involvement of the axial skeleton can occur but is less common. Eighty percent of patients with OS have localized disease at the time of diagnosis. The lung is the most common site of detectable metastatic disease at diagnosis, although patients may present with multifocal bone disease without pulmonary involvement.

The differential diagnosis includes benign bone tumors, infections, and other malignant disorders. Benign tumors to be considered in the differential diagnosis include unicameral bone cysts, osteoblastomas, eosinophilic granulomas, giant cell tumors, aneurysmal bone cysts, osteochondromas, and fibrous dysplasia. Infections that may present in similar manner to OS include osteomyelitis and septic arthritis. Other malignancies must also be considered, including ESFT, chondrosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, leukemia, and metastatic lesions of other solid tumors.

Evaluation

Imaging studies are more helpful in making the diagnosis of OS than are laboratory tests. A plain radiograph will often reveal a lytic or blastic lesion of the bone with poorly defined borders (see Figure 60-1). Other findings include periosteal elevation adjacent to the primary lesion, a sunburst appearance, or a pathologic fracture. If OS is suspected, chest computed tomography (CT) and bone scan can be used to assess for pulmonary and bone metastases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be performed to better evaluate the extent of the tumor and should include the joint above and below the involved area so that skip lesions are not missed (see Figure 60-1). In addition to delineating the intra- and extraosseous extent of the tumor, the MRI may provide information regarding tumor effects on critical neurovascular structures.

The diagnosis of OS can only be made by biopsy. Biopsies should be performed by an experienced orthopedic oncologist. The surgical approach at the time of biopsy may have an impact on the feasibility of future limb-sparing surgeries, which are necessary for local control of the tumor. In some situations, interventional radiologists are able to obtain the necessary biopsies with active participation by orthopedic oncologists. Involvement of the surgeon who will eventually perform the definitive surgical resection is preferable.

Under the microscope, OS classically appears to be composed of spindle cells associated with malignant osteoid (see Figure 60-1). The extent of osteoid production may vary among the osteoblastic, chondroblastic, fibroblastic, telangiectatic, and small cell subtypes; however, the presence of tumor osteoid is the key pathologic feature of this disease.

Management

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