Neoplastic Conditions Flashcards
What is the primary difference between a carcinoma and a sarcoma?
A carcinoma originates in cells of the skin or lining of organs, while a sarcoma arises from tissues such as bone or muscle.
Describe three common presentations or symptoms of bone tumours.
Common symptoms of bone tumours include increased bone mass, swelling, pathological fracture, non-specific pain, and bone destruction seen on radiology.
What is the typical course of a simple bone cyst in a skeletally immature patient?
A simple bone cyst typically arises in long bones of children and resolves spontaneously by late adolescence.
How does fibrous dysplasia affect the bone, and what is a characteristic appearance on an X-ray?
Fibrous dysplasia is a developmental abnormality where bone is weaker than normal, and it is often seen with a ‘ground-glass’ appearance on X-rays.
What are the common symptoms of an osteochondroma, and what causes them?
Osteochondromas are bony outgrowths that cause symptoms due to pressure on adjacent structures, such as muscles.
What is a key difference in presentation and location between a simple bone cyst and an aneurysmal bone cyst?
Simple bone cysts arise typically in the long bones, particularly in children, while aneurysmal bone cysts can arise in axial bones as well, though they can have a similar appearance.
If an enchondroma is found to be longer than 5cm, what action should be considered?
If an enchondroma is greater than 5cm and symptomatic, potential malignancy should be considered.
Describe the typical patient presentation for an osteoid osteoma.
Patients with osteoid osteoma usually have a long history of pain, particularly at night, and it most commonly arises in the cortex of a long bone such as the mid-tibia.
What is a distinctive radiological finding for Ewing’s sarcoma?
A distinctive radiological finding for Ewing’s sarcoma is a periosteal bone formation with an “onion-peel” reaction.
How is plasmacytoma different from myeloma, and what are the typical treatments?
Plasmacytoma is a solitary tumour of plasma cells that is more localized, while myeloma is a systemic disease affecting many plasma cells; plasmacytoma often responds well to radiotherapy, while myeloma requires chemotherapy.
