Demographic analysis of primary bone tumors at the Jordan University Hospital

ABSTRACT

A total of 352 cases of primary bone tumors, diagnosed at the Jordan University Hospital [JUH] during the period from 1977 to 1996, were reviewed and analyzed. Diagnosis of tumors was based on histologic examination of excisional or bone biopsies excluding bone marrow aspirates. The relative frequencies of these tumors by age, sex, site and histologic type were compared and discussed. Patients affected ranged in age from 2 to 76 years, with a slight male preponderance [ratio of 1.35 to 1]. Primary bone tumors were most common in the second and third decades of life. The lower limbs were more commonly involved as compared to other sites. Malignant bone tumors accounted for 52% of all primary bone tumors and for 1.9% of all malignant tumors diagnosed in the same period. Among malignant bone tumors, osteosarcomas were highest in frequency [36%], followed by Ewing's sarcoma [27%] and hematopoietic ones [20%]. Among benign bone tumors, which represented 48% of all primary bone tumors, chondrogenic tumors were the most common [52%] whereas those of unknown origin were the least common [9%]