An Epidemiological Study of Primary Bone Tumors of the Fibula

Relatively low incidence has led to an under-rating of fibula tumors. This study aimed to evaluate fibula tumors as a whole and to give detailed information based on histological types according to the anatomic location of the tumors in the fibula.

Evaluation was made of all the primary bone tumors of the fibula recorded in our bone tumor registry and institute of pathology from 2007 to 2018. Of these, 62 cases were identified. Analysis included assessment of age, gender, tumor localization, the presenting symptoms, the duration of symptoms, and treatment methods.

There were 48 (77.4%%) benign and 14 (22.6%) malignant tumors. The most commonly found benign tumors were non-ossifying fibroma (12/48; 25%) and aneurysmal bone cyst (12/48; 25%), and the malignant tumors were chondrosarcoma (3/14; 21.4%) and chondroblastic osteosarcoma (3/14; 21.4%). The most common location for both benign and malignant tumors (58.3%, 71.4%) are the proximal fibula, followed by the distal fibula (27.1%, 28.6%) and the diaphysis (14.6%, 0%). Six (9.7%) patients presented with pathological fibula fractures.

Fibular tumors are rarely encountered in clinical practice but are mostly benign, with malignancy determined in approximately a quarter of patients. However, as most benign tumors are asymptomatic, and therefore remain undetected, the actual proportion of malignant tumors will be much lower.