Chondrosarcoma is a malignant cartilaginous tumor of pelvis, femur, humerus, or patella. It can also arise in the jaw, shoulder, ribs, vertebrae, and skull base. Typically found in older adults, the risk of developing a chondrosarcoma increases with age. It is characterized by pain and swelling. The tumor may present abruptly and increase in size aggressively.

Types of chondrosarcoma:

• Conventional central chondrosarcoma (75% of chondrosarcomas), which may arise from an enchondroma and may be associated with Ollier disease (enchondromatosis)
• Conventional peripheral chondrosarcoma (10% of chondrosarcomas), which arises from osteochondromas and may be associated with multiple osteochondromas
• Dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma (10% of chondrosarcomas), which may arise from a conventional chondrosarcoma and is rarely associated with enchondromatosis or multiple osteochondromas

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, clear cell chondrosarcoma, and periosteal chondrosarcoma are less common types.

Characteristic of bone sarcomas, the high-grade chondrosarcoma is inclined to metastasize to the lungs. Prognosis is generally poor for high-grade conventional chondrosarcoma and for dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma. Low-grade central chondrosarcoma, on the other hand, has a better prognosis and higher rate of disease-free survival.

Management is primarily by surgical resection. Some types of chondrosarcomas (such as dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma and mesenchymal chondrosarcoma) may respond to chemotherapy, while other types tend to be more resistant. Radiotherapy or radiosurgery have been used to treat some types of chondrosarcoma.

Related topic: Clear Cell Sarcoma