Tumours General Features

Age

• Children
  • Ewings
  • Osteosarcoma
• 40-60
  • Chondrosarcoma
  • Fibrosarcoma
• > 60
  • Multiple Myeloma

Symptoms

• asymptomatic
• symptomatic
  • pain
    • expansion, haem, fractures
  • swelling
  • neurological symptoms
  • pathological fractures

Examination

• nodes
• lump
  • location, consistency, fixed, tender
• associated joint
  • effusion
  • ROM

Investigations

• X-ray
  • Lesion
    • Benign
      • sclerotic margins
    • Malignant
      • hazy diffuse margin
      • periosteal new bone
      • soft tissue extension
  • CXR
• Bone Scan
• CT
• MRI
• Laboratory
  • FBE
  • ESR
  • alk phos
  • urine bence jone
  • serum EP
  • acid phosphatase

Differential Diagnosis

• haematoma
• infection
• stress fracture
• myositis
• gout

Reviewed by Professor Phong Tran, Head of Orthopaedic Surgery, Western Health. Last updated 10 October 2026.