Histopathology of fibro-osseous and cystic tumors of bone

Fibro-osseous and cystic tumors are some of the more common tumors encountered in bone pathology. Although there is significant histologic overlap, fibro-osseous tumors of bone have distinct clinical, radiologic and pathogenetic features. Similarly, cystic lesions have characteristic radiologic and pathologic features that help distinguish them from tumor of bone that can have secondarily cystic components. More recently, specific genetic abnormalities have been identified in a subset of fibro-osseous and cystic tumors, such as fibrous dysplasia and aneurysmal bone cyst. Herein we discuss the clinical, radiologic, pathologic and genetic features of fibro-osseous and cystic tumors of bone.