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On the Bone Tumours: Overview, Classification, Incidence, Histopathological Issues, Behavior and Review Using Literature Data

Written By

Alina Maria Sisu, Loredana Gabriela Stana, Codruta Ileana Petrescu, Romulus Fabian Tatu, Roxana Folescu and Andrei Motoc

Submitted: 02 November 2011 Published: 05 December 2012

DOI: 10.5772/52969

From the Edited Volume

Histopathology - Reviews and Recent Advances

Edited by Enrique Poblet Martinez

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1. Introduction

1.1. Classification of bone tumours

According to World Health Organization, bone tumours can be divided into primary and secondary, [7]. Primitive bony tumours are classified using histo-genetic criteria and malignancy anatomic-clinical criteria.

1.1.1. Tumours that form bones

Benign: osteoma, osteoid osteoma, benign osteoblastoma;

Malignant: osteosarcoma (osteogenic sarcoma) with subtypes: conventional, chondroblastic, fibroblastic, osteoblastic, telangiectatic, small cell, low-grade central, secondary, parosteal, periosteal, high-grade surface,[8].

1.1.2. Tumours that form cartilage

Benign: chondroma, osteochondroma, chondroblastoma, chondromixoid fibroma;

Malignant: chondrosarcoma with subtypes: central, primary and secondary, peripheral, dedifferentiated, mesenchymal, clear cell;

  1. Medullar tumours:Ewing sarcoma/ primitive neuroectodermal tumour;

It is the third most common bone cancer. Most Ewing tumors start in bones, but they can start in other tissues and organs. This cancer is most common in children and teenagers. It is rare in adults over age 30.

  1. Giant cell tumours, malignant giant cell tumours, osteoclastoma;

  2. Fibrogenic tumours: fibrosarcoma;

  3. Fibrohistiocystic tumours: malignant fibrous histiocytoma;

  4. Haematopoietic tumours: plasma cell myeloma, malignant lymphoma;

  5. Notochordal tumours: chordoma;

  6. Vascular tumours: angiosarcoma;

  7. Smooth muscle tumours: leiomyosarcoma;

  8. Lipogenic tumours: liposarcoma;

  9. Miscellaneous tumours: adamantinoma;

Tumour type Age Location Histologic aspect
Osteoma 41-50Skull bonesMatured lamellar bone
Osteoid osteoma11-20Short and long bones diaphysis Osteiod outlined by osteoblasts, incorporated in a fibrous stroma
Osteosarcoma 10-25Long bones metaphysisOsteoid and bone formed of malignant osteoblasts and fibroblasts.
Chondroma 11-40Feet, handsMaturated hyaline cartilage (enchondroma/ecchondroma), preserving lobulation
Chondrosarcoma 30-60Long bones metaphysic, axial skeletonImmature cartilage, no preserving lobulation, cells arranged in groups of two or four, with atypia and mitosis
Ewing sarcoma5-25Long bones diaphysisSmall, round, undifferentiated cells, no stroma, a lot of capillary arrangement.
Giant cells tumour20-40Knee Multinucleated giant cells, fusiform cells, mononuclear cells.
Metastases 50-90Anywhere Frequently adenocarcinomas

Table 1.

Overview on tumours

Our study revealed 198 cases of benign tumours, with a male/female ratio=1.2/1, with an average age of 41 years, ages between 15-78. The most afected were 21-30 and 51-60 age groups. A male predominance in males in 21-30 group was revealed. In 11-40 age group were highlighted 69 out of 108 cases (63.88%). In 51-60 age group was a female predominance, 27 cases. The most frequent osseous benign tumour in our study was osseous cyst followed by giant cell tumour(Table 1).

In 2009-2011 in our clinic we treated 87 tumour osseous cases. Out of these, 19 were treated using surgical biopsy and 68 were entirely excised. Sites, morphological types of the bone tumours stated during the histopathological examination and their frequency are shown in Tables 2, 3.

Anatomical siteNumber of cases
Hip bone6
Proximal extremity of femur8
Distal extremity of femur13
Fibula3
Proximal extremity of tibia8
Middle 1/3 of tibia7
Distal 1/3 of tibia3
Synovial cyst of the leg (synovialoma)9
Superior surface of the foot4
Radiocarpal cyst18
Humerus5
Proximal 1/3 ulna3

Table 2.

Anatomical sites of the bone tumours

TumourNumber of cases
Epidermal cyst4
Synovialoma9
Osteochondroma49
Osteoclastoma7
Osteosarcoma7
Lipomiosarcoma1
Giant cell tumour8
Solitary osseous mieloma2

Table 3.

Histopathological examination

1.2. Benign tumours

1.2.1. Solitary osseous cyst

From microscopically point of view, is a dense osseous tissue which outlines a well -blood supplied connective tissue, sometimes macrophages filled with hemosiderin and colesterol.

1.2.2. Giant cell tumour or mieloplaxe tumour or osteoclastoma

Is composed of mononucleated stroma, with fusiform cells, well- blood supplied, and of giant multinucleated cells, resembling osteoclasts. Microscopically cells are multinucleated, giant, having a mesenchymal origin, with dimensions 10-50 microns, with 20-30 nuclei central situated, in a basophile cytoplasm and a fibrous stroma.

1.2.3. Osteoid osteoma

Is a solitary benign tumour which produces dense osseous tissue with a particular entity, nidus. Microscopically, the central zone contains osteoid tissue with osteoblasts, osteoclasts and fibroblasts, in a network of well -blood supplied osteoid travee. These are anastomosed each other and have a progressive calcification, making a final image of osteosclerosis.

1.2.4. Osteoma

Is a unique or multiple benign tumour, formed by bones osteoforming proliferation with membranous origin. Microscopically is slighty different from adult osseous tissue. It has irregular osseous travee, located around the haversian spaces.

On 198 cases of benign tumours discovered and treated in Romania, we had the following distribution: solitary osseous cyst 66 cases, giant cell tumour 63 cases, osteoid osteoma 36 cases, osteoma 33 cases.

1.3. Malignant tumours

1.3.1. Osseous metastases incidence

In Sweden, in 10 years from a group of 832 cases of malignant primary bone tumours 242 were osteogenic sarcoma (28.8%), 193 chondrosarcoma (22.9%) and 74 cases Ewing’s sarcoma (8.8%). All three tumours showed a predilection for males,[9].

In Ethiopia in 2003-2008 were treated 216 bone tumour patients with a male/female ratio=1. Of these, 36% (74/205) were malignant. The commonest was osteosarcoma, 52/182, 28.5%, [10].

According to Marugame et al,[11], the distribution of histological type for primary bone cancer in Japanese populationfor 1993–2001 was: osteosarcoma, the most frequenthistological type, accounting for approximately 40%. Chondrosarcoma was the second-most frequent, accounting for approximately 25%. Ewing sarcoma was the third-most frequent, accounting for approximately 10%. Malignant fibrous histocytoma and giant cell tumor accounted for approximately 6and 2%, respectively.

In North America and Europe, the incidence rate for bone sarcomas in males is approximately 0.8 new cases/100,000 populations. Higher incidence rates have been observed on males in Argentina and Brazil (1.5-2/1=M/F) and Israel (1.4/1=M/F). From histological point of view osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant tumour of bone, accounting for approximately 35%, chondrosarcoma (25%), Ewing sarcoma (16%),[12].

The most frequent cancers that give osseous metastases are: breast carcinoma, small cell pulmonary carcinoma, renal carcinoma, thyroid carcinoma, prostate carcinoma.

Once the tumour metastases in the bone it becomes incurable. 20% of patients suffering from breast cancer live 5 years after discovering a bony metastasis. Breast and prostate cancers spread especially in bones.

Osteosarcoma is the most frequent malignant primary bone tumour, with a higher incidence in 15-20 year old group. Male/female ratio is 1.4-1.5-1. Ewing sarcoma is the second most common primary malignant bone cancer, seen most frequently on children and adolescents. Chondrosarcoma occurs mostly in adulthood, with a male/female ratio=1. Our data showed an increased percentage in males in Romania, but a 3/1 female/male ratio in Timisoara,[13].

1.3.2. Osteosarcoma

Site and incidence

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant tumour of bone, more common in males. The incidence is 3/1,000,000 population. It accounts for <1% of all malignant neoplasm. The most frequent site is the distal femur, followed by the proximal tibia and the proximal humerus.

In Romania field 2005-2010 were treated 468 cases of osteosarcomas with a male/female ratio=1.3/1, with some variability in clinics (in our clinic 7 out of 18 cases were osteosarcomas. Ratio F/M=3/1.) Out of these 468, 198 were benign (42.30%) and 189 malignant (40.38%). Out of these malignant, with a male/female ratio =1.2/1, 168 were malignant (88.88%). As benign tumours on the first place was osseous cyst and secondary the giant cell tumour. As age groups, 21-30 and 51-60 years were equal, 45 case each, with a significant difference: in the first group 27 cases were females and in the last one 27 cases were males.

From primary malignant tumours point of view a ratio male/female=1.33/1. Most of these tumours after the histopathological examination were osteosarcomas.

From secondary malignant tumours point of view a ratio male/female=1/1. 51 were carcinomas, 42 malignant fibrous histiocytomas, and 27 fibrosarcomas.

Locations of osteosarcomas are: osseous, central, surface, gnathic, multifocal, soft tissue, intramuscular.

The most frequent location was femur (50%), followed by tibia 19.6%, humerus 15.2% and distal fibula 2.2%.

Accidentally, osteosarcomas could be found in hyoid bone or nasal septum.

Histology - Microscopically types

  • Central: high-grade, conventional, telangiectatic, small cell, epitheloid, osteoblastoma-like, chondroblastoma-like, fibrohistiocystic, giant cell;

  • Low-grade: low-grade central, fibrous dysplasia-like, desmoplastic fibroma-like;

Surface: low-grade, parosteal, intermediate-grade, periosteal, high-grade, dedifferentiated parosteal, high-grade surface;

  • Intracortical;

  • Gnathic;

  • Extraskeletal: high-grade, low-grade;

Diferent types

Conventional Osteosarcoma is also divided into osteoblastic, chondroblastic and fibroblastic subtypes according to histological feature, even from treatment and response point of view there is no difference between them. Grading the osteosarcoma is important from oncologic point of view, because based on this could be found the best treatment, especially the type of surgery

.

Using Broders schema, the grade of tumour is numbered from 1 to 4, depending on the percentage of anaplasia, the cytologic atypia of the cells being the most important factor in grading tumours (Figure 1).

  1. Telangiectatic Osteosarcoma is an osteosarcoma in which take place local destructions with replacement of anatomic spaces. New formed aneurismal bone cyst and production of osteoid bone can establish diagnosis.

  2. Giant cell-richosteosarcomas contain osteoclast-like giant cells.

  3. Small cell osteosarcoma represents a rare histological combination of osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, until 2% of osteosarcomas.

  4. Epithelioid osteosarcoma has the cell tumour poorly differentiated, for this reason being difficult to distinguish if is a sarcoma or a carcinoma.

  5. Osteoblastoma-like and chondroblastoma-like osteosarcoma resembles osteoblastoma with atypical osteoblasts and having different histological feature. These tumours are extremely rare, but are important to be established a precise diagnosis; these could metastasize (Figure 2).

  6. Giant cell-rich osteosarcoma contains benign multinucleated giant cells, but sometimes could contain lot of benign giant cells that cover the real malignant elements (Figure 3).

  7. Gnathic osteosarcomas appear in maxilla and mandible bone. They are chondroblastic, osteoblastic, fibroblastic, small cell type concerning the matrix production.

  8. Low-grade central osteosarcomas have been reported as very rarely, resembling the low-grade parosteal sarcoma, fibrous dysplasia and other benign lesions (Figure 4).

  9. Surface osteosarcomas consist of osteosarcoma whose epicentres are out of the cortex of the bone outlines. According to some criteria (anatomic location, predominant pattern of matrix, histological grade) there are several types of surface osteosarcomas: parosteal osteosarcoma, periosteal osteosarcoma, dedifferentiated parosteal osteosarcoma, high-grade surface osteosarcoma.

  10. Intracortical osteosarcoma is very rare high-grade osteosarcoma that from histological point of view is osteoid or maybe bone formation. It is treated like conventional osteosarcoma (Figures 5,6).

  11. Multifocal osteosarcoma is unusual, affect children, young adults. It is a high-grade sarcoma, very aggressive, without escape in terms of surviving.

  12. Extraskeletal osteosarcoma is credited with <2.2% of all soft tissue sarcomas. From histological point of view it resembles all types of osteosarcoma, even it has grown as soft tissue in low-grade central osteosarcoma. ¾ of patients are dying in the first 5 years of diagnosis.

Figure 1.

Conventional osteosarcoma with abundance of hyper chromatic nuclei, polyhedral tumour cells, sarcomatous vessels; HE staining X 100 (microscopic aspect)

Figure 2.

Chondroblastic osteosarcoma - compact groups of malignant tumour cells, areas with cellular hyaline cartilage and osteiod formation; HE staining X 100 (microscopic aspect)

Figure 3.

Classic osteosarcoma with an abundant production of tumour osteoid areas and bone matrix, enclosing giant malignant tumour cells; HE staining X400 (microscopic aspect)

Figure 4.

Osteoid osteosarcoma- polyhedral tumour cells, with atypical mitosis, little bone and osteoid matrix; HE staining X 200 (microscopic aspect)

Figure 5.

Osteosarcoma-tumour cells having sizes and shapes variable with hyper chromatic nuclei and mitosis areas; HE staining X 100 (microscopic aspect)

Figure 6.

Osteosarcoma- polymorph tumour cells having a big size nucleus, prominent nucleolus and osseous matrix; HE staining X 200 (microscopic aspect)

1.3.3. Staging bone tumours

As Enneking et al have stated,[14], there is a system for staging bone sarcomas, according to correlation of the tumour location and metastases presence(Table 4);T1 - the tumour is intra compartmental; T2 - the tumour is extra compartmental; M0 - no regional or distant metastasis; M1 - regional or distant metastasis; G1 - low grade; G2 - high grade.

StageTumourMetastasesGrade
I AT1M0G1
I BT2M0G1
II AT1M0G2
II BT2M0G2
IIIT1 or T2M1G1 or G2

Table 4.

Enneking staging system for primary malignant tumours of bone

According to American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging System [15,16] it has been used a new, more complex classification of the primary malignant osseous tumours, where also is taken into consideration the lymphatic nodes existence (Table 5), a criterion which states the following:Tx - primary tumour cannot be assessed; T0 - no evidence of primary tumour; T1 - tumour 8 cm or less in greatest dimension; T2 - tumour more than 8 cm in greatest dimension; T3 - discontinuous tumours in the primary bone; Nx - regional lymph nodes not assessed; N0 - no regional lymph node metastases; N1 - regional lymph node metastases; Mx - distant metastasis cannot be assessed; M0 - no distant metastasis; M1 - distant metastasis; M1a - lung; M1b - other distant site; Gx - grade cannot be assessed; G1 - well differentiated (low grade); G2 - moderately differentiated (low grade); G3 - poorly differentiated (high grade); G4 - undifferentiated (high grade).

StageTumourLymph NodeMetastasesGrade
IAT1N0M0G1 OR G2
IBT2N0M0G1 OR G2
IIAT1N0M0G3 OR G4
IIBT2N0M0G3 OR G4
IIIT3N0M0ANY G
IVAANY TN0M1aANY G
IVBANY TN1ANY MANY G
IVBANY TANY NM1bANY G

Table 5.

Staging of the primary malignant osseous tumours

1.3.4. Chondrosarcoma

Site and incidence

In 1994-2007 were assessed 62 cases of chondrosarcomas in Romania, with a slightly decreasing for the next two years.

Out of these 62 patients 46 were males (74.2%) and 16 females (25.8%). Male/female ratio=2.88/1. On age groups distribution was the following: average age of all patients was 48.8 years, 16-81. On gender groups’ distribution was the following: average age in females was 59.10, 16-78; average age in males was 45.26, 16-71. On gender and age groups the highest frequency is on 45-56 years in males, almost 20%. 66-75 group age in females, 9.8%.

As example, in 2001-2007, in Russian Federation were examined 77 patients with chondrosarcoma. The dedifferentiated form of the tumor was confirmed in 10 (13%) cases.

The most common place is femur, 41.9%, followed by tibia, 16.1% and humerus 9.7%. Less frequent chondrosarcoma is highlighted in hip bone, 16.2%, phalanges 6.5%, and 3.1% in calcaneus, scapula and vertebrae. From 41.9% chondrosarcomas located on the femur 53.8% has a distal location. On tibia and humerus the location of a chondrosarcoma is 100% proximal.

Histology

From histological feature point of view, chondrosarcomas are divided in following groups:

  • Well differentiated chondrosarcoma (differential diagnosis with rich-cell chondroma);

  • Clear cell chondrosarcoma (with a “broken glass” cytoplasm);

  • Myxoid chondrosarcoma – II grade (differential diagnosis with chondromyxoid fibroma);

  • Dediferentiated chondrosarcoma (has a different sarcomatous area);

  • Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma.

In order to have a precise diagnosis are followed some criteria: cellular density, cellular atypia, mitosis, according to these being described the grade of malignancy. Radiologic imaging is the first that could put a screening diagnostic, followed by MRI and RMN.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can be helpful in differentiating between benign and malignant lesions in several ways. Greater than 90% medullar involvement can be suggestive of chondrosarcoma, while the absence of 90% medullar involvement of non-contiguous areas of cartilage within the bone can suggest the presence of an enchondroma.

In addition, the timing and progression of gadolinium contrast enhancement patterns may help direct a clinician toward or away from a diagnosis of malignancy. Many surgeons consider MRI critical for surgical planning because it can illustrate the tumour extension involved in bone and soft tissues [17,18].

Figure 7.

Large hip joint tumour on the inferior surface of the lesser trochanter of the femur (radiologic images)

Figure 8.

X- ray: Hip joint tumour, with clear, obvious, inhomogeneous outline

Figure 9.

MRI sagittal section: shows an important tumour, 80/50/60 mm with a lot of liquid

On macroscopic examination, chondrosarcoma is seen like a grayish-white, lobulated mass. It has focal calcification and muriform aspect (Figure 10). The bigger one (2/1, 5 cm) is decalcified.

Histological, the tumour is stained HE. Could be found tumour fragments with lobulated pattern composed of cartilage matrix which supports many chondroplasts congested with focal loss of arranging symmetrical character and containing not a strong polymorphism (Figures 11, 12, 13, 14).

It was associated blades oblong of bone compact tissue. These were deformed and fragmented by the invasion of tumour tissue. Histological aspects are in favour for well-differentiated chondrosarcoma, [19-21].

1.4. Survival rate

Based on the literature data for 1995-2001, the overall 5-year relative bone cancer survival rate was calculated 69.4%. By rase and gender groups it was: 67.5% for Caucasian men; 72.1% for Caucasian women; 70% for Afro-American men; 68.4% for Afro-American women.

Figure 10.

Macroscopic aspect; exophytic sarcoma, with calcified areas and haemorrhage

Figure 11.

Well-differentiated chondrosarcoma consisting of pale hyaline matrix; HE staining X 40 (microscopic aspect)

Figure 12.

Malignant chondrocytes, large, atypical, with large nuclei; HE staining X 40(microscopic aspect)

Figure 13.

Well-differentiated chondrosarcoma consisting of nodules hyaline matrix; lymphoplasmocytes infiltrate; HE staining x 10 (microscopic aspect)

Figure 14.

Well-differentiated chondrosarcoma consisting of nodules hyaline matrix; lymphoplasmocytes infiltrate; HE staining X 40 (microscopic aspect)

1.5. Bone cancer statistics on stages

This is very important for the prognosis.

  • 41% of bone cancer cases are diagnosed while the cancer is still confined to the primary site, so it is a localized stage.

  • 36% of bone cancers are diagnosed after the cancer has spread to regional lymph nodes or directly beyond the primary site.

  • 15% of bone cancer cases are diagnosed after the cancer has already metastasizes, so it is a distant stage.

  • 8% of bone cancer cases had staging unknown.

  • In literature cases the corresponding 5-year relative bone cancer survival rates were:

  • 84.5% for localized stage; 69.4% for regional stage; 30.6% for distant stage; 62.2% for unknown stage.

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2. Conclusions

The most important thing in dealing with a bone tumour is a correct and full diagnosis. This include: clinical staging, a right excision, with 5 cm limits around tumour, a very precise histopathological examination and, not for the last, a post surgery treatment (radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy). All these have in common an increase of 5-year survival rate.

Taking into account that malignant primary bone tumours are few, the secondary ones, meaning the metastases, are the dangerous. So, besides the treating of the metastases, is also essential to treat, and sometimes to find, the primary tumour. It is very true that the secondary tumour is discovered when the primary is in an advanced stage and the rate survival decreases very much.

Metastases behaviour is different from the primary tumour behaviour. Histopathological feature is different on breast tumours successive metastases, suggesting molecular changes depending on the tissue where the tumour is growing. Tumour cells preserve the initial pattern of the origin tissue, but the malignant phenotype is modified, depending on the metastazing area,[22].

Conventional radiography is very useful for diagnostic information. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended over computed tomography (CT) scanning for delineation of tumour extent before surgery.

Nuclear imaging is limited in providing diagnosis for bony lesions. Angiography is useful when a compression on the vessels is suspected. Of course, is also important the location of the tumour on the bone.

Histopathological examination of the biopsy sample provides with certainty the type of the tumour, but in some cases the tumour feature so resembles to others that is very difficult, even for an old specialist, to put without any doubt, a correct diagnosis.

A longer survival of cancer patients leads to a higher risk of population to develop bone metastases and pathological fractures. For this reason, reconstructive procedure requires a guarantee longer term, in order to avoid mechanical problems during the life of the patient,[23]. The follow-up of the patients is multidisciplinary, including oncology, orthopaedics, radiology, geriatrics, endocrinology, intensive care, physiokinetotherapy.

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Written By

Alina Maria Sisu, Loredana Gabriela Stana, Codruta Ileana Petrescu, Romulus Fabian Tatu, Roxana Folescu and Andrei Motoc

Submitted: 02 November 2011 Published: 05 December 2012