Benign (non-cancerous) bone tumors are lesions within the skeleton that can develop almost anywhere, in almost anyone. The appropriate treatment for a benign tumor depends on many different factors. We understand that being told you have a tumor can be unsettling, even if that tumor is not cancerous.
At the Orthopaedic Oncology Center at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, we specialize in the evaluation and treatment of benign and malignant soft tissue masses and bone lesions. We treat more rare bone tumors than other centers in South Jersey, so you can be confident we’ll provide the expert medical opinion you need and personalized treatment that’s most appropriate for you.
Why Choose MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper for Orthopaedic Oncology Care?
When you choose MD Anderson at Cooper for orthopaedic oncology care, you benefit from our expert orthopaedic oncology team. You’ll also benefit from:
- Experience: Because there are so many types of benign bone tumors, it’s important to see doctors who have extensive experience treating these conditions. Our team possesses world-class training in this specialized field and performs more than 600 surgeries every year, so you can trust us to provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment for you.
- Personalized care: Our specialists have devoted their careers to providing patients like you with the highest level of care, and we treat every patient like family. Our surgeons are involved in every aspect of your treatment and take pride in addressing all of your questions and concerns, regardless of the diagnosis.
- Team approach to treatment: We provide individualized care, tailored to your unique needs. Our specialists, including orthopaedic oncologists, musculoskeletal radiologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurses, and other professionals, all contribute their expertise to establish a treatment plan that’s right for you. There are many aspects to consider when weighing different options. You can trust we’ve taken them all into account before recommending your treatment plan.
- Access to clinical trials: With the backing of MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the nation’s pioneers in medical oncology research and development, our doctors are active in a wide variety of clinical trials. All patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper are candidates for promising, cutting-edge treatment options that may not be available anywhere else in the region.
- Comprehensive follow-up care: Because certain benign bone tumors can recur after treatment, long-term follow-up is essential. Our doctors will partner with you to manage your care as long as necessary to ensure long-lasting, successful results.
Benign Bone Tumors: What You Should Know
The majority of tumors within a bone are benign. Here’s what you should know:
- What is a benign bone tumor? It’s an area of abnormal bone that does not metastasize — the abnormal cells do not spread to other areas of your body. There are many types of benign bone tumors. Advanced diagnostic tests can help your doctor learn more about a tumor, including whether (and how much) a tumor might endanger your health.
- Who does it affect? A benign bone tumor can be found in anyone. Doctors tend to find more of these tumors in young adults or children. As your bones stop growing (around adolescence), a benign bone tumor may stop growing, too.
- What are common symptoms of a benign bone tumor? Many benign bone tumors are found incidentally when a patient is seen for another problem. Others can cause pain depending on the size and location.
- How do doctors treat benign bone tumors? Because there are many different types of benign bone tumors, your doctor will consider many factors before deciding whether you need treatment and, if so, what types of treatment are best. Surgery can effectively treat benign bone tumors in many instances. In some cases, your doctor might simply recommend careful observation with examination and imaging studies over time.
- When should you call a doctor? If you notice any pain or swelling that can’t be explained, or persists for a few weeks, your doctor can help you determine whether it requires further evaluation.
Types of Benign Bone Tumors We Treat
There are many types of benign bone tumors, and our specialists at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper are highly skilled in evaluating and treating all of them. If you have one of these lesions, you can be confident that our orthopaedic oncology experts will guide you to the most effective treatment plan for your specific condition.
The most common ones include:
- Giant cell tumor of bone
- Cartilage tumors (enchondroma, osteochondroma, periosteal chondroma)
- Osteoid osteoma
- Nonossifying fibroma
- Chondroblastoma
- Osteochondroma
Contact Us
To learn more about the benign bone tumor services available at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper or to schedule an appointment, please call 856.361.1754.
Refer a Patient
If you are a doctor who wants to refer a patient to MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper for benign bone tumor treatment, please call 856.361.1754.