Pathology

Question 1

Malignant bone tumours are very rare however bone metastasis is normal. True/False

Answer 1

True

Question 2

What is the most common type of benign bone tumour?

Answer 2

Osteochondroma

Question 3

Is there is a risk of an osteochondroma progressing to become malignant?

Answer 3

Yes, there is a 1% chance that it could happen.

Question 4

What is an osteochondroma?

Answer 4

Bony outgrowth on the external surface of the bone.

Question 5

What is an enchondroma?

Answer 5

An intramedullary cartilaginous tumour, that results from the failure of normal enchondral ossification at the growth plate.

Question 6

What primary cancers are most likely to metastasis to the bone?

Answer 6

Breast, prostate, lung, renal and thyroid.

Question 7

What is the most common form of malignant bone tumour?

Answer 7

Osteosarcoma, a malignant tumour growing from the external surface of the bone.

Question 8

What are fibrosarcomas?

Answer 8

A fibrosarcoma is a fibrous malignant bone tumour that tend to occur in abnormal bone (e.g., Paget’s disease).

Question 9

What allows the extent of metastasis to be determined?

Answer 9

Bone scanning

Question 10

What is a red flag of bone malignancy?

Answer 10

A complaint of constant pain, particularly if this is described to be severe and worsening at night. Other symptoms are usually systemic (e.g. weight loss, loss of appetite and fatigue).

Question 11

At what patient age ranges should skeletal pain be urgently followed up?

Answer 11

Patient over 60 - this is because patients of this age are at a greater risk of malignancy.
Patients under 25 - as patients of this age should not be suffering from skeletal pain at this point in life.

Question 12

What is Ewing’s sarcoma?

Answer 12

It is a malignancy of the primitive bone cells. It is the second most common primary bone tumour and is associated with a poorer prognosis.

Question 13

Usual treatment for primary bone malignancies?

Answer 13

Surgery to remove the growth and it’s surrounding tissue.

Question 14

What is a bursa and what happens when it’s inflamed?

Answer 14

A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion in the area of the joint. The role of this is to prevent friction between tendons, bones, muscles and skin.

Inflammation of these can occur following repeated episodes of pressure or trauma. This will present as a soft tissue swelling.