Musculoskeletal Neoplasms Flashcards
1
Q
Describe cancer
A
- uncontrolled cell proliferation = tumor = neoplasm
- benign = contained/stable
- malignant = continued proliferation/potential to metastasize (cancer)
2
Q
Describe radiation
A
- targeted therapy that kills cancer cells or slows growth by damaging cancer’s DNA
- effect takes weeks/months
- external beam (treats all cancers) or internal beam (treats head/neck, breast, cervix, prostate, eye, & thyroid cancers), solid or liquid form
3
Q
Describe chemotherapy
A
- limit proliferation by attenuating cell growth
- inhibit DNA/RNA synthesis & function
- inhibit cell division (mitosis)
4
Q
Typically what ending does a benign versus a malignant tumor have
A
- Benign = -oma
- Malignant = -sarcoma
5
Q
Describe benign neoplasms
A
- well differentiated in terms of cell maturation
- look similar to normal tissue
- tend to grow slowly
- possible secondary problems
6
Q
Clinical presentation of benign neoplasms
A
- early diagnosis is better, but often elusive: early tumors are not well defined & may not cause symptoms
- pain not attributable to position
- night pain
- pathologic fractures
- presence of a mass
- swelling, fever, unexplained weight loss…
7
Q
Diagnosis & classification of benign neoplasms
A
- imaging
- biopsy
- labs: ESR, CBC, calcium, phosphorous, alkaline phosphatase
- detailed knowledge of location, appearance, & interaction with nearby tissues helps inform diagnosis
- stage/grade I = differentiated to stage/grade IV = undifferentiated
8
Q
Treatment strategies for benign neoplasms
A
- observation
- resection: complete/wide/en bloc(tumor and surrounding tissue removed) or marginal (most but not all of tumor removed)
- chemotherapy
- radiation
- newer options (stem cell transplants, biologic response modifiers, gene-based therapies)
9
Q
Describe Osteochondroma
A
- benign
- cartilage-capped bony spur/outgrowth on bone surface
- usually occurs at end of long-bone growth plates, interfering with joint function
- symptom of pain on joint movement
- most comely form at shoulder or knee
10
Q
Symptoms of Osteochondroma
A
- hard, immobile, detectable mass that is painless
- loss of joint ROM
- soreness of the adjacent muscles
- limb length discrepancies
- pressure or irritation with exercise
- possibility for changes in blood flow
11
Q
Treatment for Osteochondroma
A
- observation for neuromuscular compromise
- excision
12
Q
Describe Osteoid Osteoma
A
- benign skeletal neoplasm consisting of a nidus of osteoid tissue in the cortex
- no malignant transformation
- initial treatment includes pain control (NSAIDs) and observation
- excision if growing and/or interfering with active lifestyle
13
Q
Symptoms of Osteoid Osteoma
A
- pain at night
- pain with activity
- pain relieved with NSAIDs
- can affect bone growth in individuals with open growth plates
14
Q
Describe Osteoblastoma
A
- benign but larger than Osteoid Osteoma & likely to grow
- usually in the vertebral column (unlike Osteoid Osteoma) or long bones along diaphysis
15
Q
Symptoms of Osteoblastoma
A
- pain for several months
- pain is not as severe as osteoid osteoma
- pain is less likely to be relieved with NSAIDs
- poorly localized pain
- possible scoliosis
- nerve root impingement
16
Q
Treatment for Osteoblastoma
A
- curettage (scraping)
- because of high recurrence a wider excision margin is often used
- reconstruction or implants may be necessary depending on extent of bone/joint tissue resection
17
Q
Describe Enchondroma
A
- benign
- cartilage cyst found in bone marrow often found incidentally
- usually found in metacarpals/metatarsals but also found in humerus & femur
18
Q
Symptoms of Enchondroma
A
- mostly asymptomatic
- possible fractures of the affected bone
- enlargement of affected finger
19
Q
Treatment for Enchondroma
A
- observation
- curettage (scraping) considered if bone health is compromised