What is chondrosarcoma?

Chondrosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor that primarily originates in areas of the body containing cartilage, such as bones, joints, or cartilage tissue. This tumor usually occurs in adults, especially those over 40 years old, although cases in children have also been reported. Chondrosarcoma can occur in any part of the body but is most commonly found at the ends of long bones, the pelvis, and the scapula.

Depending on the degree of malignancy, chondrosarcoma can be classified into low-grade, intermediate-grade, and high-grade malignancies. Low-grade chondrosarcomas, such as Grade I, grow relatively slowly, whereas high-grade tumors, such as Grade III or dedifferentiated chondrosarcomas, progress rapidly and have a poor prognosis.

Based on their origin and development, chondrosarcomas can be classified into central and peripheral types. Central chondrosarcomas arise within the bone, while peripheral types develop in the soft tissues on or near the bone surface.

According to cellular morphology and degree of differentiation, chondrosarcomas can be further classified into low-grade and high-grade malignancies.

Symptoms of this tumor may include local pain, swelling, limited mobility, or fractures, although there may be no obvious symptoms in the early stages. The main treatment options for chondrosarcoma include surgical resection, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.