A fibro-osseous lesion which is also termed a liposclerosing myxofibrous tumor is benign. This tumor has distinct clinical characteristics with a wide variety of histological patterns. These kinds of lesions are diagnosed incidentally. But in some cases, fracture or pain in bones can indicate a liposclerosing tumor.
The tumor can occur in both male and female genders equally, usually in the later ages of life. The initial clue to diagnosing liposclerosing myxofibrous tumor is the presence of proximal femur in patients, which is found during the radiographic examination. There are multiple patterns of this tumor observed under the microscope.
In a few cases, it can be misdiagnosed and confused with other lesions easily. The location of the liposclerosing myxofibrous tumor makes it unique from other fibro-osseous lesions. The malignancy with these kinds of tumors is rare but still, they can develop. Patients diagnosed with liposclerosing myxofibrous tumor must-have follow-up checkups and monitoring.
Liposclerosing Myxofibrous Tumor Pain
Liposclerosing myxofibrous tumor pain can be acute or chronic. If the damage is caused by an injury and it results in pain which is bearable then it falls under the acute pain category. The wound heals and the pain fades away. Painkillers are the greatest resort for these patients. But they need to make sure they don’t exceed the normal dose.
Chronic pain, on the other hand, is due to certain changes caused in the nerves. If the cancer is widespread and putting pressure on the nerves this might lead to unbearable pain. Moreover, sometimes chemicals are released by cancer which can be the cause of chronic pain. This pain lingers for a long period.
If the bone tissues are damaged excessively, it can lead to severe pain which can be persistent. It’s a dull and throbbing pain which is often referred to as somatic pain.
Liposclerosing Myxofibrous Symptoms
The soft tissues of the affected bone often swell and enlarge in size. This symptom is frequently linked with liposclerosing myxofibrous tumors. The cosmetic appearance and functionality are affected greatly. Other symptoms include:
- Paraesthesia
- Pain
- Trismus
- Generalized Endocrinopathy
- Swelling
- Bone Deformity
- Fractures of bones particularly in legs
- Length of limbs might have some changes
- Arthritis
- Bone Deformity
The origin of the liposclerosing tumor is still unknown. Some clinical research shows that this kind of tumor is present during the childhood years and is asymptomatic. But it develops over time with age and in the fourth decade of life, it starts presenting with symptoms.
A radiographic exam holds prime importance in the prognosis of the fibro-osseous tumor. There are a variety of histological features associated with the tumor that makes it daunting to distinguish between other osseous tumors.
Liposclerosing Myxofibrous Tumor Management
The management of liposclerosing myxofibrous tumor is to replace the normal tissue with the fibrous collagen tissue. This includes refined minerals. This management criterion is common in all kinds of fibro-osseous tumors. Therapeutic orientations depend on the clinical examination and radiological exam.
The location of the tumor is also an important factor to consider while managing the symptoms of the patient. The management is case-specific, which means oncologists need to devise specific plans for every patient separately; you can say it is a bit customized.
The evolution of the clinical case and the growth of the tumor need to be considered along with the other factors. Clinical and aesthetic alterations can largely affect the self-esteem of patients. Pain can be managed with painkillers like opioids.
Liposclerosing Myxofibrous Tumor Treatment
The treatment of liposclerosing myxofibrous tumor includes bone grafting, cementing, and curettage. These procedures can help the patient widely as the tumor is benign. But there is a possibility that this kind of tumor might transform into malignancy. Around 10% of malignancy cases of liposclerosing myxofibrous tumor have been reported so far.
If surgery is recommended due to the patient’s disease progression and specification then there should be aggressive curettage as this will help to treat the lesion. This will also reduce the recurring episodes of the symptoms associated with the tumor.
The diagnosis is often misinterpreted in these kinds of tumors. So, it is necessary to have a biopsy before going for surgical procedures. This will help to rule out the diagnosis of other tumors. The progression of the disease is controlled with certain medications which will reduce the pain and manage other symptoms accordingly.