Osteoblasts are nothing but bone forming cells (‘osteo’= bone & ‘blasts’= forming cells). Therefore, osteoblastoma basically means a mostly benign tumor of osteoblasts, characterized by abundant osteoid and bone deposition. However, there are known cases of aggressive osteoblastoma, as well.
What are the clinical features of osteoblastoma ?
The benign osteoblastoma is thought to be a large or giant form of another look-alike clinical entity, the osteoid osteoma. It mimics the osteoid osteoma in being usually found in the younger age group. It has a strong predilection for males as compared to females. However, it is known to be found less commonly than the osteoid osteoma. The benign osteoblastoma is generally painless and is larger than the osteoid osteoma.Its usual location is in the metaphyseal areas of long bones and in parts of the axial skeleton (such as the vertebrae). In the spinal vertebrae, the osteoblastoma is typically located in the posterolateral elements.
How is an osteoblastoma diagnosed ?
The collaboration of radiologists, bone pathologists and orthopaedic surgeons is needed to accurately diagnose and treat osteoblastomas. An osteoblastoma is detected radiologically and confirmed histopathologically. Radiologically, an osteoblastoma is more osteolytic and definitely larger as compared to the osteoid osteoma. It measures over a centimeter in diameter with less bony reaction seen surrounding it than the osteoid osteoma.
Histopathologically, a major diagnostic challenge for pathologists is the right differentiation between benign osteoblastoma and numerous other bony lesions that look similar to it.
Benign osteoblastoma and osteoid osteoma are known to have almost indistinguishable histologic features. It was due to this histologic similarity that Dahlin and Jonson suggested the name “giant osteoid-osteoma” for the benign osteoblastoma.
At microscopic examination, the bony trabeculae (bony bits) of osteoblastoma are somewhat wider and more regular than those of osteoid osteoma. Also, the number of osteoblasts is far greater with giant cells present in osteoblastoma.
How is an osteoblastoma treated ?
The primary treatment for the osteoblastoma is surgery with an aggressive curettage of lesion. There may be no need to excise wide margins because of low recurrence rates.
In a few cases, the lesions have been known to resolve spontaneously, minus any surgery.
Where osteoblastomas cause spinal cord or nerve root compression, aggressive surgical decompression and even spinal stabilization may be required.
What are the complications of osteoblastomas ?
There is an aggressive or “malignant” osteoblastoma. This malignant variant of the osteoblastoma, is intermediate to the benign osteoblastoma and a malignant osteosarcoma.
The “malignant” osteoblastoma appears to behave just like an osteosarcoma, locally but it does not metastasize to distant parts.
Therefore, the local treatment needs to be aggressive and in all probability would entail a wide resection to make sure a local recurrence does not occur.
Rarely, an osteoblastoma can be seen converting into an osteosarcoma, particularly if it has been subjected to radiation therapy.
How to find and reach orthopedic surgeons for the treatment of osteoblastoma ?
Now you can find and reach orthopedic surgeons for osteoblastoma treatment from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions and information from multiple orthopedic surgeons, get cost estimates for osteoblastoma treatment from different hospitals, compare things and then choose an orthopedic surgeon for osteoblastoma treatment.
Find, reach and choose an orthopedic surgeon for the treatment of osteoblastoma on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
