Causes

The forming of a bone lesion can be caused by infections, damage to a bone (such as a fracture), heavy stress, tumors, and cysts. Bone lesions are variable in size and can form on either the outside or inside of a bone.

Terminology

A bone lesion is sometimes referred to as a bone tumor. A bone tumor is a mass of abnormal tissue on the inside or outside of a bone. A bone lesion or tumor is generally benign but can sometimes be cancerous.

Types

A bone lesion can be malignant (cancerous), benign (non-cancerous) or non-neoplastic (a bone cyst). The most common types of malignant bone lesions are osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma and chondrosarcoma. The most common benign types are osteoid osteoma, osteoblastoma and osteochondroma.

Diagnosis

The first step in bone lesion diagnosis is an X-ray of a bone. The X-ray can the exact location of the bone lesion as well as indicate its size and shape. Other common scans for bone lesions include CT (computed tomography), isotope, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and PET (positron emission tomography) scans.

Treatment

Treatment of the bone lesion depends on the diagnosis. A bone lesion that is malignant is most commonly treated with radiation, chemotherapy or a combination of the two. Laparoscopic surgery is common when the bone lesion is large enough to destroy the bone.

Source:

N.Y. Times: Bone Lesion Biopsy: Tests, Test Results and Diagnosis

British Institute Of Radiology

The Management of Benign Bone Lesions- West Journal Of Medicine

More Information:

Orthopaedia: Metastatic Bone Lesions