An Epidemiological Study of bone tumour patients with the role of needle biopsy in North Indian population

Abstract

Introduction: The bone tumour is very challenging to pathologists and orthopedic surgeons due to its uncommon nature concerning other kinds of cancer. Needle biopsy of bone tumour is a simple procedure with inconsistent results. A small number of epidemiological data is available related to bone tumour. Hence, this retrospective study was performed at a tertiary healthcare center to determine the frequency, spectrum, overall burden, and importance of needle biopsy in bone tumours in Northern India. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective study was carried out at the tertiary healthcare center from 2017-2020. A total of 1314 patients were included in this study of which 834 were males and 480 were females. Relevant previous history, clinical data, radiological reports, needle biopsy reports, and histopathological reports are obtained from the case registers of the patients submitted at the department of orthopedic and pathology, Tertiary Healthcare Center in Northern India. Results: The mean age of patients was 26.65±14.84. Most males (63.47%, n=854) were affected and the common age group belongs to the second or third decade of life. The frequency of benign bone tumours (72.60%, n=954) was high in contrast to malignant tumours (27.39%, n=360). Giant cell tumour (56.6%, n=498) was the most common benign bone tumour observed in the patients and the most commonly involved bone was tibia (36.7%, n=182). In the case of malignant bone tumour, osteosarcoma (55%, n=198) was the commonest bone tumour detected in the patients and the most commonly involved bone was femur (38.3%, n=138). A needle biopsy was conclusive only in 30% (n=394). All tumour diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination. Conclusion: Benign tumour is the most prominent bone tumour. Tibia is the most common anatomical affected site in case of a benign tumour while femur is in case of a malignant bone tumour. Needle biopsy of bone tumour is not a reliable option to diagnose and confirm the diagnosis of bone tumour.