What is an Osteoma?
Osteoma is a type of benign tumor, typically formed by abnormal growth of bones and other tissue that usually grows next to or within bones. Most commonly these tumor growths are found in children. In many cases, the tumors can be removed with ease. Since they are benign, they do not run the risk of spreading cancer to other parts of the body, though it is not uncommon for children who have had one osteoma to have another at the same site or to develop another tumor in a different bone section of the body. Frequently, osteoma tumors are fairly easy to remove, and most of these tumors occur on the thighbone or on the bones of the hand. A more serious version of the tumor can develop if an osteoma is present in the spinal column. Any surgery on the spine carries significant risk, since risk of paralysis and cutting the spinal cord is present. When a tumor in the spine is present, due caution is needed during surgical treatment.
