What does osteoblastoma mean?

Osteoblastoma is a type of bone tumor. It’s nearly always benign (not cancer) but may cause pain or swelling. The bone tumor also increases your risk of fractures. Treatment always includes surgery to remove the mass.

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Where can osteoblastoma be found?

Unlike most primary bone tumors, which favor the extremities, osteoblastoma occurs most often in the lower vertebrae of the spine or long bones of the lower extremity. It can, however, also occur in any of the bones of the arms, legs, hands and feet.

Is osteoblastoma benign tumor?

Osteoblastoma is a rare benign bone tumor that accounts for about 1 percent of all primary bone tumors in the United States. It affects twice as many boys as girls. Similar to most primary benign bone tumors, osteoblastoma tends to form in the extremities, however it also often forms in the spine.

Can osteoblastoma become malignant?

Although osteoblastoma is considered a benign tumor, there have been very rare cases in which an osteoblastoma has transformed into a malignant (cancerous) tumor.

Is osteoblastoma genetic?

Osteoblastoma genetic marker shows promise for identifying aggressive tumors. Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute (London, UK) have discovered a genetic mutation that distinguishes between benign osteoblastoma tumors and aggressive osteosarcoma tumors.

Who gets osteoblastoma?

Adolescents and young adults are most often affected by osteoblastoma. The tumors typically appear between the ages of 10 and 30 years, and are twice as common in males as in females. Because osteoblastomas destroy healthy bone and can grow to a large size, treatment always involves surgery to remove the tumor.

Can osteoid osteoma become cancerous?

An osteoid osteoma is a type of bone tumor. It isn’t cancer (benign). It remains in the same place it starts. It won’t spread to other bones or parts of your body.

How is osteoid osteoma treated?

Surgical treatment The gold standard for treating osteoid osteoma is CT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA). This minimally-invasive, outpatient procedure is performed in the Interventional Radiology Suite at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Does an osteoma need to be removed?

They may go away on their own over time. Sometimes they will go away after treatment with NSAIDs. Osteoid osteomas commonly need treatment with surgery, CT-guided drill resection, or radiofrequency ablation.

Is an osteoma serious?

While osteomas are not cancerous, they can sometimes cause headaches, sinus infections, hearing issues or vision problems – however, many benign osteomas don’t require treatment at all. If treatment is needed, your doctor may prescribe surgery, pain relievers, or other minimally invasive techniques to provide relief.