Osteoid osteomas occur more often in men than in women. They typically occur in children and young adults up to about age 24. But they can occur at any age.

Can osteoid osteoma affect all body parts?

An osteoid osteoma is a benign (noncancerous) bone tumor that usually develops in the long bones of the body, such as the femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone). Although osteoid osteomas can cause pain and discomfort, they do not spread throughout the body.

How do people get osteoma?

An osteoid osteoma occurs when certain cells divide uncontrollably, forming a small mass of bone and other tissue. This growing tumor replaces healthy bone tissue with abnormal, hard bone tissue. No one knows exactly why this occurs.