Osteochondromas are benign growths near the end of bones that usually cause no symptoms, but can irritate joint tissue or constrict blood vessels and nerves. They often appear near growth plates and are more common in children and adolescents. Multiple tumors may be caused by hereditary multiple exostosis. Treatment is usually unnecessary, but surgery may be needed if a tumor causes pain or other symptoms.
An osteochondroma is an abnormal growth that appears near the end of a bone. The condition is benign and usually causes no symptoms, although a large tumor can irritate joint tissue or constrict blood vessels and nerves. Depending on underlying genetic factors, a person may have a single osteochondroma near a major joint or multiple masses throughout the body. Asymptomatic tumors typically don’t require medical attention, but surgery is needed if a mass causes joint pain, numbness, or bone fracture.
Most osteochondromas appear near growth plates, sections of tissue at the ends of bones that promote hardening of new bone cells. Tumors behave much like growth plates, producing new cartilage and bone tissue that builds up into a hard mass. Because bone growth is most active during adolescence, a person between the ages of 10 and 18 is more likely to develop osteochondroma. A tumor rarely arises after the age of 30, although a childhood osteochondroma may go undetected until adulthood if it does not cause symptoms.
Doctors have identified several potential causes of osteochondromas. Single lesions typically arise after direct trauma to the growth plates during periods of active bone development. A person who has multiple cancers usually has an underlying genetic condition, called hereditary multiple exostosis (HME), that was passed on from one or both parents. Abnormal growth plate activity related to HME can lead to the development of dozens or even hundreds of osteochondromas in a developing child or adolescent.
A large osteochondroma can cause pain and inflammation in the knee, hip, ankle, wrist, or other major joint in the body. If a tumor blocks blood vessels or nerves, it can lead to clots, muscle weakness, and frequent tingling or numbness. Rarely, a growth can put enough pressure on the bone to cause a painful fracture. In most cases, however, osteochondromas do not grow large enough to cause physical symptoms.
Asymptomatic osteochondromas often go undetected until patients have x-rays for unrelated problems. When a tumor is discovered, a doctor usually does a series of diagnostic imaging tests to study it carefully and check for further lesions. A tissue sample may be taken and analyzed to make sure it is not malignant. Treatment decisions are made based on the size, location, number, and symptoms of existing tumors.
Most patients do not need treatment for osteochondromas. Doctors simply suggest scheduling regular checkups to make sure the condition doesn’t get worse. If a tumor causes pain and swelling, a patient may be referred to an orthopedic surgeon for further inspection. Surgery typically involves manually removing the tumor, repairing healthy bone and cartilage, and ensuring that the growth cartilage itself is not damaged. Surgical procedures are relatively simple and have a very high success rate, and tumors are unlikely to reappear after being removed.
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