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PubMed This is a summary of 5 peer-reviewed journal articles Updated

Are HME and Multiple Osteochondromas the Same?

At a Glance

Hereditary Multiple Exostoses (HME) and Multiple Osteochondromas (MO) are the exact same genetic condition. Multiple Osteochondromas is the modern, preferred medical term because it more accurately describes the benign growths, which are made of both bone and cartilage.

In this answer

2 sections

01

Why Does This Condition Have Two Names?

02

Decoding the Medical Jargon

Yes, Hereditary Multiple Exostoses (HME) and Multiple Osteochondromas (MO) are the exact same medical condition [1][2]. If your doctor used the term HME but you are finding information online under MO, you can be reassured that you are researching the right condition.

Why Does This Condition Have Two Names?

In the past, doctors commonly called this condition Hereditary Multiple Exostoses. The word “exostosis” simply means a benign outgrowth of bone [1][3]. However, as medical understanding of the condition evolved, experts realized that this old name didn’t tell the whole story.

Today, the medical community prefers the term Multiple Osteochondromas because it more accurately describes exactly what the growths are [1][4]. The bumps are not just simple bone outgrowths; they are actually made of both bone and cartilage [1][5]. You may also occasionally see the condition referred to as Hereditary Multiple Osteochondromas (HMO) or by older historical terms like Diaphyseal Aclasis, but they all refer to the identical diagnosis [2][4].

Decoding the Medical Jargon

When we break down the terminology, it acts as a perfect description of the condition:

  • Hereditary means the condition is genetic and can be passed down through families [1][2].
  • Multiple means patients develop more than one of these growths [1].
  • Osteo- comes from the Greek word for bone [4].
  • -chondroma refers to a benign (non-cancerous) tumor made of cartilage [1].

Therefore, an osteochondroma is a benign bony bump that is topped with a cap of cartilage [1][4].

While HME is still widely used by many patients, advocacy groups, and doctors, MO is the precise clinical name you will see in most modern medical research [1][4]. You can feel confident that any trustworthy information you find under either name applies directly to your care.

Common questions in this guide

Are Hereditary Multiple Exostoses and Multiple Osteochondromas the same condition?
Yes, Hereditary Multiple Exostoses (HME) and Multiple Osteochondromas (MO) are the exact same medical condition. The terms refer to the identical diagnosis, though Multiple Osteochondromas is the modern preferred name.
Why did doctors change the name from HME to Multiple Osteochondromas?
The name was updated because Multiple Osteochondromas is more medically accurate. While an 'exostosis' simply means a bone outgrowth, an 'osteochondroma' specifies that the benign growths are made of both bone and cartilage.
What does the term osteochondroma actually mean?
In medical terms, 'osteo' refers to bone, and 'chondroma' refers to a benign tumor made of cartilage. Therefore, an osteochondroma is a non-cancerous bony bump topped with a cartilage cap.
Are there other names for Hereditary Multiple Exostoses?
Yes, you may also see the condition referred to as Hereditary Multiple Osteochondromas (HMO) or by older historical terms like Diaphyseal Aclasis. All of these names refer to the same condition.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Curated prompts to bring to your next appointment.

  1. 1.Since you referred to my condition as HME, do you use the terms HME and Multiple Osteochondromas interchangeably in your practice?
  2. 2.Are there any other historical names or variations of this diagnosis in my chart that I should be aware of when requesting my medical records?
  3. 3.Are the specialists you are referring me to familiar with the condition under both the HME and MO terminology?

Questions For You

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Related questions

Why Does MO Cause Bone Deformities & Uneven Leg Length?Can a Child Get Multiple Osteochondromas If Parents Don't?Can Kids with Multiple Osteochondromas Play Sports?Is EXT1 More Severe Than EXT2 in Multiple Osteochondromas?Which Osteochondromas Have the Highest Cancer Risk?How Often Do I Need an MRI for Multiple Osteochondromas?Is There Medication to Shrink Multiple Osteochondromas?How to Manage Multiple Osteochondromas Pain Without SurgerySigns an Osteochondroma is Turning Into Cancer?When Is Surgery Needed for Multiple Osteochondromas?Why See an Oncologist for Multiple Osteochondromas?

References

References (5)
  1. 1

    Identification of a novel EXT2 frameshift mutation in a family with hereditary multiple exostoses by whole-exome sequencing.

    Yang M, Xie H, Xu B, et al.

    Journal of clinical laboratory analysis 2021; (35(9)):e23968 doi:10.1002/jcla.23968.

    PMID: 34403521
  2. 2

    Three-Dimensional Reconstruction Images of a Rare Case of Multiple Osteochondromatosis.

    Guerra MG, Videira T, Fonseca D, et al.

    Journal of clinical rheumatology : practical reports on rheumatic & musculoskeletal diseases 2020; (26(8)):e286-e288 doi:10.1097/RHU.0000000000001137.

    PMID: 31524850
  3. 3

    Rib Exostoses Presenting as Mediastinal Masses: A Rare Presentation and Minireview of the Literature.

    Butcovan D, Mocanu V, Haliga RE, et al.

    Case reports in medicine 2020; (2020()):8283565 doi:10.1155/2020/8283565.

    PMID: 32089704
  4. 4

    Genetic and functional analyses detect an EXT1 splicing pathogenic variant in a Chinese hereditary multiple exostosis (HME) family.

    Li J, Wang Z, Han Y, et al.

    Molecular genetics & genomic medicine 2022; (10(3)):e1878 doi:10.1002/mgg3.1878.

    PMID: 35106951
  5. 5

    Hereditary multiple exostoses: are there new plausible treatment strategies?

    Pacifici M

    Expert opinion on orphan drugs 2018; (6(6)):385-391 doi:10.1080/21678707.2018.1483232.

    PMID: 31448184

This page explains the medical terminology for Hereditary Multiple Exostoses and Multiple Osteochondromas for informational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare provider or specialist regarding your specific diagnosis and medical records.

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