Osteoblastoma

What is osteoblastoma?

Osteoblastoma is a type of bone tumor. It attacks your healthy bone tissue and creates a new kind of tissue called osteoid. Osteoid material grows around healthy tissue. It’s weaker than healthy tissue, making your bones more prone to fractures.

Osteoblastoma can grow anywhere, but it’s most common in your spine, hands or legs. As the tumors grow, they may cause pain, swelling or muscle spasms.

Is osteoblastoma cancer?

No. Osteoblastoma is almost always benign (not cancerous).

Where might I get osteoblastoma?

Up to 2 in 5 osteoblastomas form around the spine.

You may also get osteoblastoma in your:

• Hands.
• Feet.
• Legs.
• Lower jawbone (mandible).

What is the difference between osteoblastoma and osteoid osteoma?

Osteoid osteoma is another type of benign bone tumor. But osteoid osteomas don’t grow, while osteoblastoma does. Osteoblastomas also tend to be larger than osteoid osteomas.

Usually, osteoid osteoma treatment focuses on pain relief with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Osteoblastoma treatment involves surgery to remove the tumor.

What is the difference between osteoblastoma and osteosarcoma?

Both osteoblastoma and osteosarcoma are bone tumors. Osteoblastoma is not cancer. Osteosarcoma is cancer that starts in the cells that make bone tissue.

Who might get osteoblastoma?

Although anyone can get osteoblastoma, it’s most common in people ages 10 to 30. More than twice as many males as females have osteoblastoma.

How common is osteoblastoma?

Osteoblastoma is rare. It makes up only about 3% of all benign bone tumor diagnoses.

What causes osteoblastoma?

Experts don’t know what causes osteoblastoma.

What are the symptoms of osteoblastoma?

Osteoblastoma in your hands or feet may cause swelling or pain. The pain often worsens at night.

In your spine, osteoblastoma symptoms may include:

• Back pain.
• Muscle spasms.
• Numbness.
• Scoliosis (irregular curve in your spine).
• Weakness.

How is osteoblastoma diagnosed?

To diagnose osteoblastoma, your provider asks about symptoms and examines the area where you’re experiencing pain. They may also test your range of motion.

Your provider also uses imaging tests to get a better look at your bones. You may have:

• X-ray to look at your bones.
• CT scan, MRI or ultrasound to provide a more detailed look of your bones and soft tissues.

Healthcare providers almost always use a biopsy to diagnose osteoblastoma. In a biopsy, your provider takes a small sample of tissue from the tumor. A laboratory examines the tissue to look for signs of osteoblastoma and rule out other conditions, like cancer.

How is osteoblastoma treated?

Osteoblastoma treatment usually involves surgery to remove the tumor. Your provider may use:

• Marginal resection: Removing the part of the bone that contains osteoblastoma.
• Curettage and bone graft: Scraping out the tumor and refilling the area with a bone graft from a donor or another part of your body.
• Spinal fusion: Realigning and supporting your spine with a bone graft, and sometimes with pins or rods, after removing spinal osteoblastoma.

In the very rare case that osteoblastoma is cancerous, your provider may use other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy. If the tumor is very large, your provider may use radiation therapy to shrink the tumor.

How can I prevent osteoblastoma?

Because experts don’t know what causes osteoblastoma, there’s no way to prevent it.

If your child complains of back pain, muscle spasms or other signs of osteoblastoma, take them to a healthcare provider. Usually, a surgeon can remove the tumor to relieve symptoms.

What is the outlook for osteoblastoma?

Osteoblastoma usually has a good outlook. Most people are cured after surgery to remove the tumor. In some cases, the tumors may grow again. But they aren’t cancer and usually don’t cause severe symptoms.

Does osteoblastoma return after treatment?

Osteoblastoma may return after treatment. Up to 1 in 4 people get osteoblastoma again.

The chances of osteoblastoma coming back depend on multiple factors, including whether or not your provider was able to remove the entire tumor without damaging other tissue. If your provider suspects it might return, you may have regular imaging scans to monitor the area.

What else should I ask my doctor?

You may also want to ask your healthcare provider:

• What tests do I need to diagnose osteoblastoma?
• What are my treatment options?
• How long will surgery take?
• What should I expect during surgery recovery?
• What are the chances that osteoblastoma will return after treatment?

Can I have an aggressive osteoblastoma?

Yes. Some types of osteoblastoma are aggressive. The chances that this type of tumor will grow back after removal are high. But osteoblastoma doesn’t spread (metastasize) to other parts of your body.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Osteoblastoma is a type of benign bone tumor. It forms when your body destroys healthy bone tissue and replaces it with a weaker tissue called osteoid. Osteoid material grows around healthy bone tissue and makes your bones prone to fractures. Osteoblastoma can form anywhere, but it’s most common on your spine. Treatment always involves surgery to remove the osteoid material.