What is the Difference Between Osteoma and Osteosarcoma

Amidst the 206 bones that form the adult human skeleton, bone conditions like osteoma and osteosarcoma can bring uncertainty and concern. While both relate to bone health, they differ significantly. Understanding these differences between osteoma and osteosarcoma is crucial for informed decision-making and proactive health management.

Osteoma is slow-growing and normally does not spread to other parts of the body. On the other hand, osteosarcoma is aggressive and has the potential to spread to other tissues and organs of the body.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Osteoma  
3.  What is Osteosarcoma
4. Similarities – Osteoma and Osteosarcoma
5. Osteoma vs Osteosarcoma in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Osteoma and Osteosarcoma
7. FAQ: Osteoma and Osteosarcoma

What is Osteoma?

Osteoma is a new piece of bone that typically grows on another piece of bone, commonly occurring in the skull. However, they can also develop on long bones such as the shin and thigh bones. Signs and symptoms of osteoma include headache, obstruction leading to sinus infection due to blocked mucus drainage, proptosis, facial pain or pain during mouth movement, and temporary hearing loss. The causes of osteoma include the body’s response to illness or injury and Gardner’s syndrome.

Osteoma can be diagnosed through physical examination, CT scan, MRI, X-ray, and biopsy. Treatment options include endoscopic procedures to remove osteomas in the skull, small incisions in the skin to remove growths near the skin, and radiofrequency ablation.

What is Osteosarcoma?

Osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that typically develops in the osteoblast cells of the bone. It most commonly affects children, adolescents, and young adults. Osteosarcoma can occur in various regions of the body, including around the knees, upper leg, thigh bone, lower leg, upper arm bone, and any bone in the pelvis, shoulder, and skull. Symptoms of osteosarcoma include pain in the affected bone, swelling around the affected site, increased pain with activity or lifting, limping, and decreased movement of the affected limb. The exact cause of this bone cancer is not known, but it is believed to be related to DNA mutations within bone cells, which can be acquired or inherited.

Osteosarcoma can be diagnosed through physical examination, X-ray, bone scans, MRI, CT scan, PET scan, complete blood count, and biopsy. Treatment options for osteosarcoma include surgery (biopsy, resections, bone/skin grafts, limb salvage), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, rehabilitation, prosthesis fitting, supportive care, and antibiotics to prevent infections.

Similarities Between Osteoma and Osteosarcoma

• Osteoma and osteosarcoma are two conditions associated with bones in the human body.
• Both conditions can cause pain in the affected areas.
• Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests.
• They can be treated through specific medications and surgeries.

Comparing the Difference Between Osteoma and Osteosarcoma

Definition

1. An osteoma is a benign bone growth that typically forms on the skull.
2. Osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that usually develops in the osteoblast cells in the bone.

Causes

1. Osteoma: The body reacting to illness or injury and Gardner’s syndrome.
2. Osteosarcoma: The exact cause of this bone cancer is not known; however, it is believed to be caused by DNA mutations inside bone cells, which are acquired or inherited.

Signs and Symptoms

1. Osteoma: Headache, which is an obstruction that can prevent mucus from draining and lead to a sinus infection, proptosis, facial pain or pain when moving the mouth, and temporary hearing loss.
2. Osteosarcoma: Pain in the affected bone, swelling around the affected site, increased pain with activity or lifting, limping, and decreased movement of the affected limb.

Diagnosis

1. Osteoma: Physical examination, CT scan, MRI, X-ray, and biopsy.
2. Osteosarcoma: Physical examination, X-ray, bone scans, MRI, CT scan, PET scan, complete blood count, and biopsy.

Treatment

1. Osteoma: Endoscopic procedures to remove osteomas in the skull, small incisions in the skin to remove the growth near the skin, and radiofrequency ablation.
2. Osteosarcoma: Surgery (biopsy, resections, bone/skin grafts, limb salvage), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, rehabilitation, prosthesis fitting, and training supportive care, antibiotics to prevent infections.

The following table summarizes the difference between osteoma and osteosarcoma.

Summary – Osteoma vs Osteosarcoma

Osteoma and osteosarcoma are two different bone conditions. Osteoma is a benign or non-cancerous growth of the skull bones and sinuses, while osteosarcoma is a malignant bone tumor in different areas in the body, including knees, upper leg, thigh bone, lower leg, upper arm bone, any bone in the pelvis, shoulder, and the skull. This is the summary of the difference between osteoma and osteosarcoma.

FAQ: Osteoma and Osteosarcoma

1. What is the other name for osteosarcoma?

1. 1. • The other name for osteosarcoma is osteogenic sarcoma. It is a cancer of the bone that normally affects the large bones of the arm or leg and is called osteosarcoma. It happens most commonly in young people and affects more males than females.

2. What is the difference between osteoma and cancer?

1. 1. 1. An osteoma is a benign or non-cancerous small tumor that usually grows in the long bones of a person’s lower extremities. The skull and thighbone are the most common locations, although it may occur in the bones of the hand and lower part of the spine. It is slow-growing and does not spread to other parts of the body; hence, it is not a cancer.

3. Can an osteoma be cancerous?

1. 1. • Osteomas are benign head tumors made of bone. They’re normally found in the head or skull, but they can also be found in the neck. Osteomas are not cancerous, but they can sometimes cause headaches, sinus infections, hearing issues, or vision problems. Many benign osteomas don’t require treatment at all.

4. What is the difference between osteoma and osteoblastoma?

1. 1. • Osteoma and osteoblastoma are histologically similar and contain osteoblasts that produce osteoid and woven bone. However, osteoblastoma is larger in size, tends to be more aggressive, and can undergo malignant transformation.

5. Is osteosarcoma the same as sarcoma?

1. 1. • Osteosarcoma or osteogenic sarcoma begins in cells within the bone. This type of tumor often starts in the ends of long bones, such as those in the arms or legs. On the other hand, sarcoma is a general term for a broad group of cancers that occur in the bones and in the soft tissue.

Reference:

1. Gerard Librodo, MD. “Osteoid Osteoma.” Practice Essentials, Pathophysiology, Epidemiology, Medscape.
2. “Osteosarcoma.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Osteoid osteoma – very high mag” By Nephron – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Osteosarcoma – low mag” By Nephron – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia