Bone & Soft Tissue Tumours

Question 1

what is sarcoma?

Answer 1

malignant tumour arising from connective tissue

Question 2

spread of sarcoma?

Answer 2

spread along fascial planes
haematogenous spread to lungs
rarely spread to regional lymph nodes

Question 3

benign bone tumours? (2)

Answer 3

osteoid osteoma

osteoblastoma

Question 4

cartilage forming tumours?

Answer 4

benign - enchondroma, osteochondroma

malignant - chondrosarcoma

Question 5

vascular tissue tumour?

Answer 5

benign - haemangioma

malignant - angiosarcoma

Question 6

marrow tissue tumours?

Answer 6

malignant - Ewing’s sarcoma. lymphoma, myeloma

Question 7

history?

Answer 7

PAIN (activity related)
mass
abnormal x-rays - often incidental

Question 8

investigations?

Answer 8

plan x-rays
CT (assessing ossification/calcification)
MRI (anatomical relationships)
Isotope bone scans (staging)

Question 9

malignant primary bone tumour cardinal features?

Answer 9

increasing pain
unexplained pain
deep-seated boring nature
night pain
difficulty weight bearing
deep swelling

Question 10

what system is used for fracture risk assessment?

Answer 10

Mirel’s scoring system

Question 11

prevention of pathological fracture?

Answer 11

prophylactic internal fixation with/without bone cement