Chondrosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor in the hand. Although heterogeneous, the majority grow slowly and rarely metastasizes. There are two types of chondrosarcoma based on location within the bone: central (conventional) and peripheral. Peripheral chondrosarcomas have a better prognosis and usually affect younger patients. Chondrosarcomas may be categorized by histologic grade, which is an important predictor of tumor clinical behavior and patient prognosis, but it is challenging owing to a spectrum of lesion subtypes. These variants include clear cell (low grade), dedifferentiated (high grade), mesenchymal (highly malignant), and extraskeletal (rare). Chondrosarcomas also may be categorized as primary – arising de novo, or secondary – arising from a pre-existing lesion, such as an osteochondroma. Chondrosarcoma in the hand is very rare.1,2,3
Related Anatomy
Incidence
Differential Diagnosis1,2
Reproduced from the International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems, 10th revision, Fifth edition, 2016. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2016 https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/246208
The typical patient is male, aged 60–79 years. He will often have an enlarging mass with progressive pain that is constant, not relieved with rest, and interfers with sleep. The pain may be accompanied by weakness, atrophy, and limited range opf motion. Family history may or may not be present.
None (surgery is needed)
Note: Chondrosarcomas are resisted to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Radiation has been used for local control of microscopic disease or for palliation.
SURGICAL COMPLICATIONS
Cited Articles
Reviews
Case Report
Classics