Primary benign bone tumors are uncommon and most often affect children and young adults. They typically are detected incidentally on imaging, though some patients present with pain, swelling, or other symptoms. The four main categories of benign bone tumor are: bone-forming (eg, osteoid osteoma, osteoblastoma, fibrous dysplasia, enostosis), cartilage-forming (eg, osteochondroma, enchondroma), connective tissue, and vascular; the latter two are rare. A fifth category is idiopathic (eg, giant cell tumor, aneurysmal bone cyst, simple bone cyst). Osteochondromas are the most common, accounting for 30% to 35% of benign bone tumors. Giant cell tumors account for 20%, osteoblastomas for 14%, and osteoid osteomas for 12%. All others are less common. Diagnosis mainly is via imaging; biopsy rarely is required. Management varies with tumor type, location, symptoms, and risk of recurrence. Some (eg, enchondroma, osteochondroma, fibrous dysplasia, enostosis) typically are asymptomatic, and generally require no intervention. Others (eg, osteoid osteoma, aneurysmal bone cyst, simple bone cyst) can cause symptoms and require percutaneous ablation or surgery. Still others (eg, giant cell tumor, osteoblastoma) can be aggressive and require surgery and other therapies. Malignant transformation is rare for all benign bone tumors, but patients with these tumors should be monitored with serial imaging.
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