Nora's disease, also known as BPOP (Bizarre Parosteal Osteochondromatous Proliferation) or Nora's lesion, is a rare, benign, but locally aggressive growth of bone and cartilage on the surface of a bone (exostosis). It often recurs after removal.
Understanding Nora's Disease (BPOP)
- Nature: BPOP is a non-cancerous (benign) condition. However, it exhibits locally aggressive behavior, meaning it can grow and potentially impact surrounding tissues.
- Rarity: It's a relatively uncommon bone lesion.
- Location: It arises from the outer layer (cortex) of bone.
- Composition: The growth is made up of both bone and cartilage. It is considered an osteochondromatous exostosis.
- Recurrence: A notable characteristic is its tendency to reappear (recur) even after surgical removal.
Key Characteristics of BPOP
- Bizarre: The term "bizarre" refers to the unusual microscopic appearance of the lesion.
- Parosteal: This indicates that the growth occurs on the surface of the bone (juxtacortical).
- Osteochondromatous: This describes the tumor's composition, which includes both bone (osteo) and cartilage (chondro).
- Proliferation: This refers to the abnormal and rapid growth of cells in the lesion.
Who Described It?
The lesion is named after Dr. F.E. Nora, who first described the condition in 1983, hence the name Nora's lesion.
In Summary
Nora's disease, or BPOP, is a rare and benign but often recurring bone growth characterized by its unusual microscopic appearance and tendency to reappear after surgery. It is an osteochondromatous exostosis arising from the bony cortex.
