What are the signs of malignant transformation of osteochondroma?

Osteochondroma is generally divided into solitary osteochondroma and multiple osteochondromas. Multiple osteochondromas are genetically prone and will affect the development of the epiphysis. Osteochondroma is a common benign tumor in children. Generally, single asymptomatic osteochondroma does not require surgery. Pay close attention and observe. If symptoms appear, seek medical attention in time and actively cooperate with the doctor's treatment.

Signs of malignant transformation of osteochondroma

There are two types of osteochondroma, one is solitary and the other is multiple. The multiple type has a genetic tendency and will also affect the development of the epiphysis. It usually occurs in the distal femur, the proximal tibia, and the proximal humerus.

Osteochondromas are bone growths covered with osteocartilage that contain cortical and medullary bone, usually arising from the outer layer of the cortex and connected to the medullary cavity. The epiphyseal growth plate will herniate through the periosteum bone sleeve, and then continue to grow at the cartilage cap, which is similar to the normal cartilage growth process.

According to relevant data, approximately 85% of osteochondromas are solitary and non-hereditary lesions, while approximately 15% are hereditary and multiple chondromatosis (HME). Malignant transformation mostly occurs in HME, with a malignant transformation rate of about 3% to 5%, which is more common in young and middle-aged people aged 25-30 years old. The chance of malignant transformation of a single osteochondroma is only 1%, which mostly occurs in people aged 50-55 years old. If malignant transformation occurs, it will usually transform into secondary osteochondrosarcoma, and the chance of transformation into osteosarcoma is very low.

Clinically, the early symptoms of enchondroma are not obvious and the onset is relatively slow. Only when the tumor gradually grows will it cause deformity and local expansion in the patient, affecting the patient's life, and people will pay attention to it. However, at this time, the best time for treatment has been missed. So before that, it is necessary for us to know the examination measures for osteochondroma, which will help us detect the disease earlier.

1. CT examination: CT is a commonly used examination measure. When examining the disease, it can be seen that the tumor in the proximal bone of the patient's right tibia is connected to the cancellous bone, cortical bone, etc., and part of the cartilage cap shows the imaging characteristics of soft tissue density, and sometimes there will be ossification, bone calcification and other phenomena.

2. Radionuclide scanning: Radionuclide scanning showed abnormal accumulation of radionuclides in the diseased area of ​​the patient's right proximal tibia bone tumor. If the tumor becomes malignant, the radionuclide concentration will increase.

3. MRI examination: MRI examination can show abnormal bone signals at the proximal end of the patient's right tibia, and can determine the size of the patient's tumor. If the thickness of the cartilage cap exceeds 25mm, bone tumor malignancy may occur.

4. X-ray manifestations: The X-ray manifestations of this tumor disease are not very obvious and are often misdiagnosed.