SOLITARY OSTEOCHONDROMA: LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP

Introduction and Objectives: Osteochondroma is the most common tumour of the bone. Treatment is necessary only in the case of pain, compression of adjacent structures, for aesthetic reasons, or in cases of suspected malignancy. Materials and Methods: This study reviews a series of 119 patients with solitary osteochondroma tracked in our centre since 1975. Location, gender, reason for consultation, tumour and treatment-related complications, type of treatment, recurrence and malignant transformation, and final status of patients were tracked for a minimum of one year. Results: Of the 119 patients in this study, 75 required surgical intervention, with tumor recurrence being the most common complication (15 cases). Seven patients suffered malignant transformation all of which resolved after surgical intervention. Discussion and Conclusions: In our experience, simple resection is a satisfactory treatment for osteochon-droma in most cases. Periodic follow-up is necessary in these cases as they have the potential to become malignant.