[Bone tumor frequency in adults and elderly]

We consider of great importance knowing the types of bone tumors and tumor-like lesions in adults and the elderly, which are increasing in proportion in our country.

(1) To analyze the frequency of bone tumors and tumor-like lesions in adults and elderly; (2) to determine any difference between these two groups; (3) and to analyze the most frequent sites of involvement.

We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study that consisted in a retrolective review of all cases classified as a bone tumor or a tumorlike condition from year 2000-2006. We included all patients that presented with a bone tumor or tumor-like condition above 40 years-old.

The most frequent diagnoses in patients between 40 and 60 years-old were plasmocytoma/myeloma (19.4%); giant cell tumor (14.1%) and metastases (12.3%). In patients older than 60 years, prevalence of bone tumor and tumor-like lesion was respectively: metastases (37.2%); plasmocytoma/myeloma (11.8%) and malignant fibrous histiocytoma (6.7%). Several differences were observed between these two groups.