Serial radiographs and close clinical observation over several months will provide an answer with no compromise in the treatment of the lesion. The exception are tumors associated with Ollier's disease of the hand or in children. In these cases, a slow growth does not always indicate malignancy. The other key clinical point centers on symptoms. These tumors are non-growing and thus do not cause pain.
Most patients have their tumors discovered as an incidental finding on radiographs or bone scans.
The exception would be cases which are associated with a stress fracture which of course, may be associated with pain but not secondary to the growth of the lesion. True bone pain, of the type associated with a malignant bone tumor, is worse at night and not relieved by rest or immobilization.