Chondrosarcoma is a type of cancer. It grows in cartilage cells in the body. Cartilage is connective tissue.
This cancer is most common in the thigh, arm, ribs, or pelvis.
Cancer is when cells in the body split without control or order. These cells go on to form a growth or tumor. The term cancer refers to harmful growths. These growths attack nearby tissues. They also spread to other parts of the body. It’s not clear exactly what causes these problems. It’s likely a mix of genes and the environment.
Chondrosarcoma is more common in adults after aged 20-60 years old. Your chances are also higher for:
Chondrosarcoma may cause:
You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. You may also need:
The tests will find the grade of the cancer. Chondrosarcoma is graded from 1-4. Grade 1 is a local cancer. Grade 4 shows it has spread to other sites in the body.
Chondrosarcoma is treated with surgery. The tumor is removed with a border of healthy tissue around it. In some cases, amputation may be needed.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used if cancer has come back or spread to other sites.
There is no way to prevent chondrosarcoma since the cause is unknown.
American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org
National Cancer Institute
https://www.cancer.gov
BC Cancer—Provincial Health Services Authority
http://www.bccancer.bc.ca
Canadian Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.ca
Chondrosarcoma. Bone Tumor website. Available at: http://bonetumor.org/tumors-cartilage/chondrosarcoma. Accessed January 29, 2021.
Chow WA. Update on chondrosarcomas. Curr. Opin. Oncol. 2007;19(4):371-376.
Lewis VO. What’s new in musculoskeletal oncology. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2007;89(6):1399-1407.
What is chondrosarcoma? The Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative website. Available at: http://sarcomahelp.org/chondrosarcoma.html. Accessed January 29, 2021.
Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP