Benign Bone-Forming Tumors: Approach to Diagnosis and Current Understanding of Pathogenesis

The diagnosis of benign bone-forming tumors continues to be based on the traditional approach to bone tumor diagnosis using knowledge of the spectrum of histopathologic features seen in these tumors in combination with clinical and radiological correlation. This review emphasizes the pathologic features and the clinical and radiological features that the surgical pathologist must have a working understanding of to make an accurate diagnosis and avoid confusion with other lesions, particularly osteosarcoma. New and persistent challenges facing the practicing pathologist and our current understanding of the cytogenetic and molecular abnormalities involved in the pathogenesis of these tumors are discussed.