Lytic lesion

Lytic lesion is a term used in medicine to describe an area of bone damaged by cancer. A lytic lesion appears as a dark spot on X-ray images because the cancerous cells have caused the bone to break down, or lyse. This can lead to bone fractures and other complications.

Causes

Lytic lesions are most commonly caused by malignant (cancerous) cells that originate in the bone or spread to the bone from other parts of the body. The most common types of cancer that cause lytic lesions are multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and metastatic carcinoma.

Symptoms

The symptoms of lytic lesions depend on their size and location. They may cause pain, swelling, or fracture. In some cases, they may not cause any symptoms and are only discovered during an X-ray for another condition.

Diagnosis

Lytic lesions are usually diagnosed through imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. A biopsy may also be performed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of cancer causing the lesion.

Treatment

The treatment for lytic lesions depends on the underlying cause. Treatment options may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or a combination of these. Pain management is also an important part of treatment.

See also

• Bone tumor
• Osteolytic lesion
• Osteoblastic lesion

Lytic lesion Resources
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