Section Editor: Bibianna Purgina MD FRCPC
May 26, 2026
Bones make up the skeleton, the framework that supports the body, protects the organs, and works with muscles to allow movement. Bone is living tissue that is constantly renewed. When a piece of bone is removed or sampled, a pathologist examines it under a microscope and describes what they see in your pathology report.
This page brings together our guides to conditions found in the bones. The articles are grouped by type to help you find the one that matches your diagnosis. Select any article below to learn more.
Cancers of the bone
These diagnoses are cancers that develop in bone. Some, such as osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma, start in the bone itself. The articles explain how each type is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of cancer that starts in bone. It develops from the cells that normally build new bone. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what the details in your pathology report mean.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions osteosarcoma.
Chondroblastic osteosarcoma is a type of osteosarcoma in which the tumor also makes cartilage. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions chondroblastic osteosarcoma.
Parosteal osteosarcoma is an uncommon type of osteosarcoma that grows on the surface of a bone. It usually grows slowly and has a good outlook. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions parosteal osteosarcoma.
Low-grade central osteosarcoma
Low-grade central osteosarcoma is an uncommon, slow-growing type of osteosarcoma that develops inside a bone. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions low-grade central osteosarcoma.
Chondrosarcoma grade 2 is a cartilage-forming cancer of bone. The grade describes how the cells look under the microscope and how the tumor is likely to behave. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions chondrosarcoma grade 2.
Chondrosarcoma grade 3 is a cartilage-forming cancer of bone. It is the highest grade, meaning the cells look the most abnormal and the tumor grows the fastest. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions chondrosarcoma grade 3.
Dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma
Dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma is an uncommon, fast-growing cartilage cancer of bone that contains two different parts. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma.
Chordoma is a rare, slow-growing bone cancer that develops along the spine or at the base of the skull. This article explains how it is diagnosed and what your pathology report describes.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions chordoma.
A plasmacytoma is a tumor made of plasma cells, a type of immune cell. When it occurs in bone, it forms a single mass. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a plasmacytoma.
Locally aggressive tumors
These diagnoses are bone tumors that fall between clearly noncancerous and cancerous. They can grow into nearby bone and come back after treatment, but they rarely spread to other parts of the body. The articles explain what each diagnosis means.
A giant cell tumor of bone is a tumor that can grow into nearby bone and come back after treatment, but only rarely spreads to other parts of the body. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a giant cell tumor of bone.
Central atypical cartilaginous tumor
A central atypical cartilaginous tumor is a low-grade cartilage tumor that develops inside a bone. It can grow into nearby bone but rarely spreads. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a central atypical cartilaginous tumor, also called chondrosarcoma grade 1.
Chondrosarcoma grade 1 is a low-grade cartilage tumor of bone. It can grow into nearby bone but rarely spreads to other parts of the body. In the arms and legs, the same tumor is often called a central atypical cartilaginous tumor. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions chondrosarcoma grade 1.
Noncancerous tumors
These diagnoses are noncancerous tumors of bone. They do not spread to other parts of the body and are often found by chance on an X-ray done for another reason. The articles explain what each diagnosis means.
An osteochondroma is the most common noncancerous bone tumor. It is a bony growth, capped with cartilage, that develops on the surface of a bone. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions an osteochondroma.
An enchondroma is a common, noncancerous cartilage tumor that develops inside a bone. It is often found by chance. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions an enchondroma.
An osteoid osteoma is a small, noncancerous bone tumor that often causes pain. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions an osteoid osteoma.
An osteoblastoma is an uncommon, noncancerous bone tumor. It is similar to an osteoid osteoma but larger. This article explains what this diagnosis means.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions an osteoblastoma.
An aneurysmal bone cyst is a noncancerous, blood-filled growth that develops inside a bone. This article explains what this diagnosis means and how it is treated.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions an aneurysmal bone cyst or ABC.
Noncancerous conditions
This diagnosis is a noncancerous condition of bone. It is not cancer. The article explains what a pathologist looks for.
A fracture is a break in a bone. This article explains what a pathologist looks for when bone tissue is examined after a fracture.
You may find this helpful if your report mentions a fracture.
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