Taking a history from a patient with a suspected bone or soft tissue tumour requires a different emphasis from the rest of orthopaedics. Particular features to note include:

• Length of history (is this a preexisting mass that has changed?)
• Rate of growth
• Pain history (site, character, severity, radiation, modifying factors, periodicity – is there mechanical or night pain?)
• Previous surgery at the site of interest (ie is this a local recurrence?)
• History of  malignancy (could this be a metastasis?)
• History of a predisposing condition (eg Hereditary Multiple Exostoses)
• Previous radiotherapy
• Family history (think  inherited disorders like Li Fraumeni syndrome)
• Symptoms suggestive of malignancy (eg weight loss, lethargy)