Chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcoma is a malignant large tumor in cartilage, usually greater than 4 cm in size and translucent lobular, blue-gray, or white cut surface. Irregularly shaped lobules varying in size and shape are found when the tumor is present in the affected area.

Chondrosarcoma affects 1 person per 200,000 in the US annually. It usually affects older people and rarely affects people under the age of 20. Most patients diagnosed with chondrosarcoma are over the age of 50, with the incidence between males and females nearly being equal. 

Conventional chondrosarcoma is the prevalent subtype of chondrosarcoma, arising in preexisting normal bone. It accounts for 85%–90% of all cases of chondrosarcoma. It typically grows slowly and is subdivided into central, periosteal, and peripheral. 

Other chondrosarcoma subtypes include:

• Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma
• Dedifferentiated Chondrosarcoma
• Clear Cell Chondrosarcoma
• Myxoid Chondrosarcoma

These subtypes of chondrosarcoma typically grow fast and can spread to other parts of the body. 

Factors such as genetics, changes in DNA, and environment may likely influence the development of chondrosarcoma. The exact cause of chondrosarcoma is unknown, however, it may be caused by a delayed reaction to previous radiation therapy.

The tumor typically grows slowly, so it may not initially cause any visible symptoms. Once the tumor is large enough, you may experience pain and discomfort, especially after physical activity.

In most cases, the symptoms of chondrosarcoma persist for a long duration. These symptoms may include:

• Increasing pain and weakness 
• Growing lump or swelling on your bone
• Feeling of pressure around the tumor
• Bowel and bladder control problems if the tumor is in your pelvis

Risk factors for chondrosarcoma include:

• Increasing age as it usually affects older people
• Other bone diseases like Ollier's disease and Maffucci's syndrome
• High dose of radiation for previous treatments

The radiographic features of chondrosarcoma typically exhibit distinct features, making diagnosing this type of bone tumor easy. 

Tests and procedures for the diagnosis of chondrosarcoma may include:

• Physical exam: Your physician may conduct a physical examination and inquire about your medical history. They may also examine abnormal lumps near any bones.
• Bone scan: Your doctor may order a bone test to identify any bone damage and find the tumor location.
• Imaging tests: Imaging tests are conducted to detect unusual changes in bones that can indicate the presence of the tumor. Imaging tests like MRI, CT scan, and PET scan can provide detailed pictures of organs and reveal the nature of the tumor, such as its size and growth rate.
• Biopsy: A biopsy involves extracting a tissue sample from the affected area. It is done to determine the presence and nature of tumor cells.

The plan for treatment of chondrosarcoma depends on the following factors:

• Your age and overall health
• Your medical history
• Type, stage, and location of the tumor
• Your tolerance for specific medicines and procedures

Before the treatment, your oncologist will look at the grade of your tumor. Tumor grade defines how fast the tumor is growing in your body and its chance to spread to other parts. Knowing the grade of the tumor can help your oncologist decide the best treatment option for you. 

Chondrosarcomas are divided into the following three grades:

• Low-grade (I) is a slow-growing tumor. It can often be treated with surgery and is less likely to come back after treatment.
• Intermediate grade (II) grows and spreads fast.
• High-grade (III) spreads at a rapid rate.

The treatment of chondrosarcoma may involve one or more of the following approaches:

• Surgery: Surgery aims to remove the tumor cells and a margin of healthy tissue around it. The type of surgery for chondrosarcoma treatment depends on the tumor location.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses strong drugs to kill tumor cells. It is not used as the sole treatment for chondrosarcoma as the tumor cells do not respond to chemotherapy. Instead, it may be done after surgery to kill the remaining tumor cells.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy is performed for a high-grade tumor. It uses strong radiation beams to kill tumor cells.
• Clinical trial: In cases where traditional treatments prove ineffective, your oncologist may opt to conduct clinical trials to treat chondrosarcoma. These trials involve the exploration of novel therapies and medications as treatment options.

The treatment approach for chondrosarcoma depends on several factors, such as the stage of your tumor, the bone affected by the tumor, your age, and other medical conditions. At Sarcoma Oncology Center, we guide you through every step of your treatment plan.

At our office in Santa Monica, we design personalized and innovative plans for treating chondrosarcoma.

To schedule a consultation, please call us at 310-552-9999 or request an appointment online.