What Are The Chances Of A Benign Tumor Turning Malignant?

Posted on Sun, 28 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 28 Jun 2015 Answered on

Sat, 25 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi Doctor XXXXXXX ! Two years ago , I had a bone tumor on my right femur which was removed by a Md surgeon when I had a fall in the parking lot and break my right femur / leg bones ... An oncologist told me that I may be affected by a type of bone/ blood cancer / Multiple Myeloma , which turned out to be False Warnings after all the biopsies / tests being done .... I read about the possibilities that the bone tumors in my right femur bones could return and metastasize into another form of Bone Cancer ??? Is this information Correct ? What should I do Now ? Return to see my Oncologist and have him check it out about the possibility of Bone tumors / Cancer returning , or should I Just Forget about it Altogether .... Thank You So Much , Doctor XXXXXXX ! XXXX

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
If it was benign then it can't return

Detailed Answer:
Hi
I understand your concerns.

However, as you said, 2 years ago, the tumor was benign (not cancerous). Hence it can't return back. Possibility of converting to cancer is also extremely rare.

We need to look into the exact cause of both leg pain. Is it due to peripheral vascular disease as you suspect, or due to nerve problems, or due to degenerative joint problems (arthritis) or brittle bones. But possibility of cancer is low as all the tests done at that time were negative.

You may visit an orthopedician for more clarity but I feel that oncologist consult is not required now.

Hope this helps.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar