Osteochondroma is thought to arise from mutations in the Exostosin 1, or EXT1 and Exostosin 2 or EXT2 genes, which encode the Exostosin 1 and 2 proteins.
Some unique symptoms are that the pain of osteoid osteoma typically gets worse at night, while osteochondromas and osteoblastomas sometimes press against spinal nerves, causing numbness and limb weakness.