ABSTRACT
Primary malignant tumors of bone are rare and encompass a broad spectrum of diagnoses as outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2002 (1). It is important to recognize that whilst this provides a seemingly clear demarcation between pathological processes no system is all encompassing. When considering a potentially neoplastic lesion of bone one needs to consider other conditions which can present clinically and resemble radiologically a primary bone malignancy. This will on occasion include traumatic or stress related injury, reactive and infective lesions (2,3). A logical approach is therefore required and can aid greatly in the formulation of a differential diagnosis that allows recommendations for further imaging and biopsy to be made (4). In some instances, certain imaging characteristics are sufficiently diagnostic for a benign or non-neoplastic lesion that radiographs suffice and further more complex imaging is not indicated. Often however, both radiological and histological examination is required and it is vital that both assessments are performed in conjunction rather than taken in isolation. This is best achieved by close co-operation between the oncology surgeon, radiologist, and histopathologist in order to provide a complete evaluation.
