Dr. Francisco Bengoa
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Bone tumors

Parosteal osteosarcoma

BoneMalignant / sarcomaOsteogenic tumours

Epidemiology

A low-grade surface osteosarcoma, typical of young adults and common on the back of the distal femur. Its superficial, slow growth does not make it benign; the resection must take into account its base of attachment to the bone.

Basic features

It can present as a slow-growing hard mass and be confused with an osteochondroma or heterotopic ossification.

Usual treatment

It is treated with wide resection; chemotherapy is reserved for dedifferentiated or higher-grade cases.

Outcomes and prognosis

The prognosis is much better than in conventional osteosarcoma when complete resection is achieved before dedifferentiation.

Warning signs

These signs do not necessarily mean cancer, but they warrant evaluation before operating on or needling a mass.

  • A soft-tissue mass that grows, is larger than 5 cm, or is deep.
  • Persistent, night-time or progressive bone pain, especially if it limits activity.
  • A fracture from minimal trauma, or an aggressive bone lesion on an X-ray.
  • A lump that comes back after previous surgery.
  • Neurological symptoms, rapid swelling, or pain associated with a mass.

This information is general and does not replace a medical evaluation. A musculoskeletal tumor must be interpreted together with imaging, physical examination, biopsy when appropriate and each patient's context.

Specialist evaluation

If you have a mass, a bone lesion or a report suggesting a tumor, book an evaluation.

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