Bone tumors, both benign and malignant, can affect any bone in the body. Whether or not they are cancerous, bone tumors tend to weaken bone as cells rapidly divide to form a new growth of abnormal tissue. The weakened bone can then be more easily fractured from stress or injury.

Identifying a bone tumor:

Usually a patient will feel pain in the area of the tumor. Instead of a sharp pain, it can be a dull or achy pain that increases with activity. Night sweats and fevers may accompany these symptoms. However, some may not even feel pain, but instead notice a lump or mass growing on the foot. A medical examination, including X-rays and even biopsies may be required to properly diagnose a tumor, and to determine whether or not it is cancerous.

In most cases, tumors are noncancerous. These benign tumors can happen due to trauma to the toes or just from hereditary factors. The following are some common bone tumors:

• Subungual Exotosis – This can happen due to trauma or injury, in which a small bone spur develops under the toenail. When they cause pain, the removal of the spur can relieve symptoms.
• Enchondroma – This cartilaginous tumor is common in the hands and feet. The tumor causes the small tubular bones to weaken and leaves thinned bones to easily break. If it develops right below the toenail, it can feel like the pain of an ingrown toenail.
• Osteochondromas – These benign tumors tend to grow on long tubular bones and do not always cause pain. If this tumor develops under the nail, it can cause a toenail deformity and lead to ingrown toenails. A hereditary condition, it tends to happen more in males and occurs on both sides of the body. The best treatment for this tumor is surgical removal.
• Ollier’s Disease (enchondromatosis) – This disease tends to affect small bones in the hands and feet. It tends to affect only one foot, and has a possibility of transforming into cancer.
• Maffucci’s Syndrome – This tumor growth is a rare type of enchondromatosis and has a greater chance of turning cancerous.

When a bone tumor is found to be cancerous, it usually is found to have spread (metastasized) from another part of the body; breast, lung, and prostate cancers tend to spread to bones.

Bone tumors, both benign and malignant, can be treated with medication or surgical removal, depending on the developmental stage. Radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy may also be used for bones with cancer.

If you suspect a tumor growth in your feet, come see us right away. Dr. Jonathan M. Kletz of Texas Foot Workscan help you identify the problem and diagnose your bony growth. Make an appointment today at any of our Abrams (Dallas), Athens, and Gun Barrell City, TX offices.