Benign Bone Tumors: An Overview of What We Know Today

Abstract

Nonmalignant bone tumors represent a wide variety of different entities but maintain many common features. They usually affect young patients, and most can be diagnosed through imaging exams. Often asymptomatic, they can be discovered incidentally. Due to their similarities, these tumors may be challenging to diagnose and differentiate between each other, thus the need for a complete and clear description of their main characteristics. The aim of this review is to give a picture of the benign bone tumors that clinicians can encounter more frequently in their everyday work.

Keywords: benign bone tumors; bone cysts; bone-forming tumors; cartilage-forming tumors; fibrous bone tumors; nonmalignant bone tumors.

Figure 1

X-rays and CT scan of a tibial fracture that occurred in the development site of an Osteoid osteoma.

Figure 2

X-rays of multiple osteochondromas.

Figure 3

X-rays of a 10-year-old patient affected by Ollier syndrome.

Figure 4

X-rays and CT scan of an NOF, incidentally discovered in a female patient in her 20s.

Figure 5

Unicameral bone cyst in a child’s humerus.