Read more about this disease, some with Classification – Types – Signs and symptoms – Genetics – Pathophysiology – Diagnosis – Screening – Prevention – Treatment and management – Cures and much more, some including pictures and video when available.
A chondrosarcoma is a type of cancer of the bone. Chondrosarcoma is a cartilage-based tumor and is in a category of cancers called sarcomas. About 25% of primary bone cancers (meaning those which start in the bone) are chondrosarcomas. This disease can affect people or animals of any age, although it is more common among older people than among children.[1]
Physicians grade chondrosarcomas based chiefly on how fast they grow and the likelihood of metastasis. Grade 1 is the slowest growing form. Grades 2 and 3 are faster-growing cancers, and some medical facilities also assign grade 4 to the fastest growing and usually metastasized occurrences.
The most common sites for chondrosarcoma to grow are the pelvic and shoulder bones along with the superior metaphysial and diaphysial regions of the arms and legs. [2] But chondrosarcoma may occur in any bone, even the base of the skull.
Like all other bone tumors and disease processes, diagnosis is made primarily by imaging. There are no blood tests to determine a diagnosis of chondrosarcoma. The most characteristic imaging findings are on CT, where detection of a chondroid matrix is present.
Nearly all chondrosarcoma patients appear to be in good health. This form of cancer generally doesn’t affect the whole body. Often, patients are not aware of the growing tumor until there is a noticeable lump or pain. Earlier diagnosis is generally accidental, when a patient undergoes testing for another problem and physicians discover the cancer. Occasionally the first symptom will be a broken bone at the cancerous site. Any broken bone that occurs from mild trauma warrants further investigation, although there are many conditions that can lead to weak bones, and this form of cancer is not a common cause of such breaks.[3]
The cause is unknown. Patients may have a history of enchondroma or osteochondroma.
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