Determining whether a rib tumor is benign or malignant requires pathological examination. Aggressive puncture biopsy or excisional biopsy of a bone tumor is necessary to effectively identify whether it is benign or malignant, i.e., to conduct a pathological examination. Although magnetic resonance examination can also be used to make a preliminary judgment to a certain extent, pathologic examination is the gold standard for differential diagnosis. Primary rib tumors are rare, with benign osteochondromas and giant cell tumors of bone intermediate between benign and malignant. For benign tumors with clinical symptoms, complete resection can be considered; for malignant tumors, radical resection and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy are also needed. It is recommended that patients with tumors in the ribs should undergo further examination and be given targeted treatment by the doctor after clarifying the cause of the disease.