Bone Tumours

Questions and Answers

What are the symptoms of a suspected bone tumour?

Pain, swelling, fracture history, possible family history, and pathological fracture.

What are some possible sources of malignant bone tumours?

Tumours that commonly metastasize to bone such as those originating from the thyroid, breast, lungs, gastrointestinal system, kidneys, prostate, or bladder.

What should be considered in the history taking of a patient with suspected bone tumour?

History of malignancy should be considered, including tumours that commonly metastasize to bone.

What may indicate a pathological fracture?

Sudden severe increase in pain, loss of function, deformity, or minor injury. Signup and view all the answers

What does physical examination involve for evaluating bone tumours?

General and local examination, assessing the size, consistency, tenderness, margins, and attachment of the lesion, as well as the neurovascular status of the limb and regional lymph nodes. Signup and view all the answers

What blood tests may be done in the evaluation of bone tumours?

FBC, differential white cell count, CRP, ESR, urea and electrolytes, liver function tests, and lactate dehydrogenase. Signup and view all the answers

What radiological imaging may be used to evaluate bone tumours?

Plain x-rays, CT scans, MRI, technetium bone scans, or PET scans. Signup and view all the answers

What are some characteristic radiological findings of osteosarcoma?

Osteolysis, sclerosis, sunray spicules, or Codman's triangle. Signup and view all the answers

What are some characteristic radiological findings of Ewing sarcoma?

Lytic or sclerotic lesions and an onion skin appearance. Signup and view all the answers

What staging systems may be used for bone tumours?

American Joint Committee of Cancer (AJCC) or the Enneking staging system (MSTS). Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered in the biopsy of bone tumours?

Should be performed by the surgeon who will be treating the patient. Signup and view all the answers

What professionals should be involved in the management of bone tumours?

Orthopaedic surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and oncologists. Signup and view all the answers

What are the symptoms of a suspected bone tumour?

Pain, swelling, fracture history, possible family history, and pathological fracture. Signup and view all the answers

What are the common types of tumours that metastasize to bone?

Those originating from the thyroid, breast, lungs, gastrointestinal system, kidneys, prostate, or bladder. Signup and view all the answers

What are the possible characteristics of pain associated with a tumour?

Chronic or acute, throbbing, stabbing, or aching, and may occur at night or with exercise. Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered in the history of malignancy?

Tumours that commonly metastasize to bone. Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by a pathological fracture?

Sudden severe increase in pain, loss of function, deformity, or minor injury. Signup and view all the answers

What are the components of physical examination for bone tumours?

General and local examination, assessing size, consistency, tenderness, margins, attachment of the lesion, neurovascular status, and regional lymph nodes. Signup and view all the answers

What are the possible blood tests for bone tumours?

FBC, differential white cell count, CRP, ESR, urea and electrolytes, liver function tests, and lactate dehydrogenase. Signup and view all the answers

What are the possible radiology techniques for bone tumours?

Plain x-rays, CT scans, MRI, technetium bone scans, or PET scans. Signup and view all the answers

What are the possible presentations of osteosarcoma?

Osteolysis, sclerosis, sunray spicules, or Codman's triangle. Signup and view all the answers

What are the possible presentations of Ewing sarcoma?

Lytic or sclerotic lesions and an onion skin appearance. Signup and view all the answers

What are the possible staging systems for bone tumours?

American Joint Committee of Cancer (AJCC) or the Enneking staging system (MSTS). Signup and view all the answers

Who should perform a biopsy for bone tumours?

The surgeon who will be treating the patient. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Examination and Diagnosis of Bone Tumours and Fractures

Symptoms of a suspected bone tumour include pain, swelling, fracture history, possible family history, and pathological fracture.
Pain associated with a tumour may be chronic or acute, throbbing, stabbing, or aching, and may occur at night or with exercise.
History of malignancy should be considered, including tumours that commonly metastasize to bone such as those originating from the thyroid, breast, lungs, gastrointestinal system, kidneys, prostate, or bladder.
A pathological fracture may be indicated by sudden severe increase in pain, loss of function, deformity, or minor injury.
Physical examination includes general and local examination, and may involve assessing the size, consistency, tenderness, margins, and attachment of the lesion, as well as the neurovascular status of the limb and regional lymph nodes.
Blood tests may include FBC, differential white cell count, CRP, ESR, urea and electrolytes, liver function tests, and lactate dehydrogenase.
Radiology may involve plain x-rays, CT scans, MRI, technetium bone scans, or PET scans to evaluate bone destruction, soft tissue invasion, and possible metastasis or grade of malignancy.
Osteosarcoma may present with osteolysis, sclerosis, sunray spicules, or Codman's triangle, while Ewing sarcoma may present with lytic or sclerotic lesions and an onion skin appearance.
Staging of bone tumours may be done using the American Joint Committee of Cancer (AJCC) or the Enneking staging system (MSTS), which considers stage, grade, site, and metastasis.
Biopsy may involve needle, incisional, or excisional techniques, and should be performed by the surgeon who will be treating the patient.
Management of bone tumours should involve a team approach, including orthopaedic surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and oncologists.
Diagnosis of fractures may involve clinical examination, x-rays, CT scans, MRI, or technetium scans, and may require follow-up imaging or dynamic imaging in some cases.
Fractures may be classified as complete or incomplete, displaced or undisplaced, angulated or rotated, and may not always be visible on initial x-rays, requiring further imaging or clinical evaluation.