Imagine your child falls while playing and injures an arm or leg. So when the doctor takes an X-ray, he says, "Here's a small lump in the bone, but it's nothing to worry about." How can a mother or father be so afraid when they hear the word 'lump'? But not all lumps are dangerous. This Non-Ossifying Fibroma that we're talking about today is not something to be afraid of. Let's see what it really is.
What exactly is Non-Ossifying Fibroma?
Simply put, a Non-Ossifying Fibroma is a benign, non-cancerous bone tumor. It is made up of fibrous tissue. It is made up of tissue similar to a scar tissue that forms on our skin. The word "Non-ossifying" in the name means that it does not turn into bone tissue. That is, this tumor grows on a bone, but this tumor does not grow from bone.
This is surprisingly common. Between 20% and 40% of healthy children will develop a tumor like this at some point in their lives. They are most often found around the knee, on the lower end of the thighbone or shinbone. They can also develop in other long bones, but this is less common.
The best part is that these tumors do not spread to other parts of the body, do not become cancerous, and in most cases do not cause any symptoms. These tumors disappear almost automatically when the child's skeletal growth stops, which is around the age of 20-25.
Could this be cancer?
This is the biggest question on everyone's mind. The answer is very clear.
No. Not at all. This is a 100% non-cancerous (benign) tumor. Some benign tumors have a small chance of turning into cancer over time. But Non-ossifying fibroma is not one of those. So you never have to worry about this.
Who gets this condition? What are the symptoms?
Non-ossifying fibroma is the most common non-cancerous bone tumor seen in children.
- These are about twice as common among boys as girls .
- It is most often seen in children between the ages of 10 and 15 .
- These usually heal on their own by the age of 25.
- Many people don't even know they had something like this.
There is no known cause, genetic link, or risk factor for these tumors. Sometimes more than one tumor (two or three) may be present. However, multiple tumors are rare. This only occurs with certain conditions, such as neurofibromatosis or Jaffe-Campanacci Syndrome.
Is there any pain?
The tumor itself does not cause pain. However, if the tumor gets a little bigger, you may feel a small swelling under the skin and a slight tenderness when touched. This can happen especially when there is a little pressure on the area while running and playing.
But there's something important we need to be careful of here. Very rarely, if the tumor gets very large, the bone where it's located can become a little weak. If that happens, there's a chance that the bone will break (fracture) at that point.
If your child complains of a dull ache that persists in that area, it's likely not due to the tumor, but rather a small fracture caused by the weakening. So if he complains of such pain, be sure to see a doctor.
How do I find and confirm that this exists?
Most of the time, these tumors are discovered by chance. They are discovered during an X-ray taken for another reason, such as a fall. Sometimes, they are discovered only after the bone has weakened and broken, while trying to determine the cause.
If you feel something like a hard lump in a long bone in your child's arm or leg, even if there is no pain, it's a good idea to get an X-ray to find out exactly what it is.
Tests
An X-ray is usually enough to identify this tumor and monitor its growth over time. On an X-ray, it appears as a black spot with a white border.
However, if the tumor is relatively large, your doctor may order a more detailed test, such as an MRI or CT scan , to check the strength of the bone and for signs of weakening.
| Feature | Short description |
|---|---|
| What is this? | A non-cancerous, harmless tumor that forms in the bones of children. |
| Who is it for? | Common among children between the ages of 10-15. More common among boys. |
| Symptoms | Often there are no symptoms. Rarely, swelling, pain, or bone fractures may occur. |
| Cancer risk | Absolutely not. This will never become cancer. |
How is it treated?
Most non-ossifying fibromas do not require any treatment. If your doctor is aware of the tumor, he or she will take regular X-rays to monitor its growth. If the tumor is not causing symptoms but is large enough to weaken the bone, it may be recommended that it be removed to prevent a fracture.
If your child has pain or swelling where the tumor is located, see a doctor right away. He or she will check to see if the tumor is large, has a fracture, or both. Surgery to remove the tumor may be recommended to relieve symptoms and protect the growing bone.
How is the surgery done?
This tumor is removed through a simple surgical procedure called curettage . Surgeons use special instruments to scrape the tumor away from the bone. Then , a bone graft is used to fill the space left behind. This can be a small piece of bone taken from another part of the child's body, from a bone bank, or from an artificial bone material.
The recovery rate after this surgery is very high. Within three to six months, the child can resume all normal activities. The doctor will continue to take X-rays to see how the bone is healing and to make sure that the tumor does not grow back in the same place. However, it is very rare for these tumors to grow back.
What is the outlook? Do you want to see the doctor again?
Most non-ossifying fibromas do not cause any problems. They rarely grow large enough to cause symptoms. They also disappear on their own as people get older.
The only significant complication that can occur is a bone that becomes weak and breaks easily (fracture). Your doctor can help prevent this by monitoring the growth of the tumor.
If your child starts to experience symptoms such as swelling, tenderness, or a dull ache , see a doctor immediately to have the tumor and bone examined.
"Non-ossifying fibroma" is a long, complicated name, but it's actually a rare, incidental finding, and nothing to be too worried about. It's just a small lump of cells in your child's bone that they may never know about. It won't spread, it won't become cancerous, and it won't get any bigger. The doctor will just keep an eye on it. Most of the time, these will go away on their own.
Take-Home Message
- Non-ossifying fibroma is a harmless bone tumor that is very common in children.
- This is not cancer. And it will never become cancer. Don't be afraid of it.
- Most children do not have any symptoms and do not need any treatment.
- As the child grows, usually by the age of 20-25, these tumors will heal on their own.
- The only risk is that if the tumor grows larger, the bone may weaken and break, so it is important to have regular checkups with your doctor.
- If your child develops pain or swelling in the area, see your doctor immediately.
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