Tumours and tumour-like lesions of the patella: a report of eight cases.

We report eight cases of tumours and tumour-like lesions of the patella. Six lesions were primary and two were metastatic, both originating from adenocarcinoma of the rectum. Patients with anterior knee pain related with a tumourous condition usually have significant delay in diagnosis. The importance of considering a neoplastic condition for the common complaint of anterior knee pain, and recognising the patellar tumour with plain radiographs is stressed. In our series, all patients had positive findings on plain lateral radiographs of the patella and we recommend a simple lateral roentgenogram for the initial diagnostic work up for a suspected patellar tumour. Further imaging modalities should be used for accurate staging and histological diagnosis of the lesion.