bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Noncancerous Bone Tumors
Osteoid osteomas
Osteoid osteomas are very small tumors that commonly develop in people aged 10 to 35. They are most common in the long bones of the legs (the thighbones and shinbones) but can occur in any bone. These tumors usually cause pain that worsens at night and is relieved by low doses ofaspirinor other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Sometimes the muscles surrounding the tumor waste away (atrophy) because the pain causes people to remain inactive. This condition may improve after the tumor is removed. If the tumor develops near the growth plate (the part of the bone from which growth occurs in children), bone growth can be overstimulated. This overstimulation can cause the limbs to grow to unequal sizes. To diagnose osteoid osteomas, doctors take x-rays. Bone scanning using radioactive tracers are also done to help determine the exact location of the tumor. Sometimes the tumor is difficult to locate, and additional tests, such as To treat the tumor permanently, usually a doctor punctures the skin and inserts a needle-like probe into the tumor, using computed tomography as guidance for placement. A radiofrequency pulse, which heats the needle-like probe, is then applied to destroy the tumor. While this is done, the person is under general, spinal, or nerve block Anesthesia . The prognosis is good, and pain should go away. Surgically removing the tumor is another way to eliminate the pain permanently. Alternatively, some people prefer to take pain relievers (analgesics) indefinitely rather than undergo a procedure. The pain may eventually go away without treatment. 