What is Haemangiopericytoma of the Bone?
Hemangiopericytoma of bone is a rare type of malignant (cancerous) tumour resulting from excessive division or multiplication of pericyte cells in the blood vessels that supply the bones. It can affect people of any age and gender. Bone hemangiopericytoma usually develops in the long bones of the body, such as the femur, tibia, fibula, humerus, radius, and ulna.Disease Causes
There is no well-known cause; however genetic mutations and exposure to certain chemicals such as pesticides and exposure to vinyl chloride are risk factors for developing hemangiopericytoma of bone.Signs and Symptoms
The patient may suffer from the following signs and symptoms. These are- Pain in the affected bone particularly with exertion or doing any physical activity
- Limp (Difficulty in walking or writing due to damage or fracture in bone of arm or leg)
- Swelling
- Broken bones
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
Diagnosis
The following diagnostic tests and procedures can be used to make a diagnosis. These are- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH)
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
- Liver function tests (LFTs)
- Renal Function tests (RFTs)
- Imaging diagnostic techniques such as X-Ray, CT-scan, and PET-scan can be used to detect the site, size, and extent of the tumour.
- Tumour Biopsy
- Aspiration Cytology