Why you should read this article:

•

To consider bone tumour as a differential diagnosis in patients with pain and/or swelling in a limb or joint

•

To enhance your knowledge of the most common types of benign and malignant bone tumours

•

To explore the distinguishing features of benign and malignant bone tumours on X-ray

Bone tumours can present a diagnostic challenge for healthcare professionals working in the emergency department (ED). They are often asymptomatic and therefore not detected until an injury, such as a fall or trauma, prompts the patient to present to the ED. Nurses working in the ED are likely to encounter patients with a bone tumour in the course of their professional life, so they need to have the knowledge and skills to adequately assess, manage and refer these patients. This article provides an overview of benign and malignant primary bone tumours, describes the assessment of their signs and symptoms, and explains the distinguishing features of benign and malignant bone tumours on X-ray. It also details the case of a patient who presented to the ED with a traumatic knee injury and was diagnosed with a benign bone tumour.