The Pattern Of Primary Malignant Bone Tumors In Nassyriha

Abstract

Abstract Background .Bone is the supporting framework of the body. Most bones are hollow. The outer part of bones consists of a network of fibrous tissue called matrix .The soft tissue inside hollow bones is called bone marrow. The bone itself contains 2 kinds of cells. The osteoblast and the osteoclast.Although bone often looks like it doesn't change much, the truth is that it is very active, new bone is always forming while old bone is dissolving. The primary malignant bone tumors are tumors that start in the bone itself; these tumors that are true bone cancer are called sarcoma. There are several types of bone cancer .Their names are based on the area of bone that is affected and the kind of cells forming the tumor.Objective. To present the pattern of malignant bone tumors in Nassyriha province (south of Iraq), geographical distribution of these tumors, and compares with other series.Material and methods .Between October 2002 and 0ctober 2007, 101 patients with malignant bone tumors were collected .Clinical data concerning the age ,sex, the clinical presentations ,radiological features as well as gross appearance of affected bone were evaluated. Routine biochemical, haematological, and plain radiography was done for all patients. Bone scan, CAT scan ,and MRI were only performed some times.Results. The study included 67 males and 34 females with males to females ratio 1.97:1. The patients age ranged between 5 and 70 years .The second decade was the most common age group of occurrence accounted for 65 patients. Out of the total 101 patients, osteosarcoma constituted the most frequent cancer, accounted 35 (34.65%) followed by Ewing's sarcoma 24 (23.76%), chondrosarcoma 14 (13.86%), multiple myeloma 12 (11.88%), malignant giant cell tumors 9 (8.91%), fibrosarcoma 3(2.97%) ,and one case (0.99%) was chordoma .No clear-cut diagnosis was recorded in 3 (2.97%) cases.Conclusion. The results of the study suggest a rising incidence of primary malignant bone tumors. The peak incidence was in the second decade of life, and the male was more affected than female.