Korean J Pediatr.  2008 Aug;51(8):792-796.

Malignancies in children who present with bone pain

• Lee JA

Abstract

Bone pain in a child could be associated with cancer as an initial manifestation of the disease. The childhood malignancies that frequently present bone pain are leukemia, neuroblastoma, and primary bone tumors such as osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. Persistent bone or joint pain as sociated with swelling, mass, or limitation of motion implies underlying serious causes. Systemic manifestations such as lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, fever, fatigue, night sweat, and laboratory abnormalities are also suggestive of malignancy. The index of suspicion tends to be low since less than 1% of children who complain of bone pain are diagnosed as cancer. Nonetheless, pediatricians should be alert to the possibilities of cancer since early detection and prompt treatment might reduce mortality.

Keyword

Bone pain; Malignancy; Children

MeSH Terms

Arthralgia
Child
Fatigue
Fever
Humans
Leukemia
Lymphatic Diseases
Neuroblastoma
Osteosarcoma
Sarcoma, Ewing
Sweat