American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

What is the term for a cancerous tumor of the bone?

1. Osteosarcoma

2. Osteocarcinoma

3. Osteopenia

4. Osteoma

The correct answer is: Osteocarcinoma

The term for a cancerous tumor of the bone is osteosarcoma. This type of tumor typically originates in the osteoblasts, which are cells responsible for bone formation. Osteosarcoma is most commonly found in the long bones, particularly around the knee and in the upper arm, primarily affecting adolescents and young adults. Osteocarcinoma is not a recognized medical term; while it seems similar, it does not refer to a specific type of cancerous bone tumor. Osteopenia refers to lower than normal bone density and is not a type of tumor. Osteoma, on the other hand, is a benign tumor of bone, not malignant, and therefore does not indicate cancer. Understanding these terms helps in differentiating between various bone-related conditions, particularly in a clinical coding context.