Chondrosarcoma

Overview
Chondrosarcoma (kon-dro-sahr-KO-muh) is a type of cancer that begins in the bone (primary bone cancer). Chondrosarcoma cells produce cartilage as they invade the bone. Less commonly, chondrosarcomas can arise outside the bone, usually within adjacent muscles. Although bone cancer is rare, chondrosarcoma is the second most common type of bone cancer, after osteosarcoma. Chondrosarcoma tumors typically develop in the pelvis, legs or shoulders of adults over 40.
Why choose Mayo Clinic for chondrosarcoma

Experience. Because chondrosarcoma tumors are rare, not all doctors are experienced in treating them. Doctors at Mayo Clinic have treated more than a thousand patients who have chondrosarcomas. Expertise and team approach. Your multidisciplinary team of experts may include orthopedic oncologists (orthopedic surgeons who specialize in bone and soft tissue tumors), plastic surgeons, vascular surgeons, rehabilitation experts, medical and radiation oncologists, and other specialists as needed. Newest technology. Mayo makes extensive use of the newest technology to improve chances for positive outcomes. Advanced surgical navigation systems (which include computers, infrared cameras and navigation instruments) allow doctors to remove these tumors while sparing nearby nerves, blood vessels and healthy bone. Collaboration between tumor and reconstruction surgeons with new surgical implants helps avoid amputations in most cases and maximize function of the limb. Comprehensive cancer center. The Mayo Clinic Cancer Center receives funding from the National Cancer Institute and is designated as a comprehensive cancer center a recognition for an institution's scientific excellence in research and multidisciplinary resources that are focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosis
Doctors will use X-rays and other imaging techniques such as computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify the tumor. In tests that involve radiation, specialists carefully monitor doses to avoid the risk of radiation overexposure. To diagnose chondrosarcoma, the doctor removes a small sample of the suspected tumor to examine under a microscope (biopsy). If necessary, a chest X-ray or CT scan and a bone scan help the doctor evaluate your lungs and other areas where the cancer may have spread (metastasized).

Treatment
Surgery is generally the main treatment option for chondrosarcoma. If your cancer has not spread (metastasized), the cure rate is high. If it has spread, or for some forms of very aggressive chondrosarcoma, doctors may recommend chemotherapy. If your cancer recurs at the initial site with no signs that it has spread, aggressive treatment can help you return to a cancer-free state. This may involve surgery, specialized radiation and ablation procedures (using liquid nitrogen or heating probes to destroy tumor deposits).
Surgery

Some tumors can be removed by cutting and freezing (curettage with cryotherapy). Most will require one of several types of limb-saving procedures, depending on the tumor's size and whether it has grown into or around nerves, blood vessels or a joint. Options include:

Autograft. In this procedure, a surgeon takes your own healthy bone tissue to implant at the site where cancerous tissue is removed. Using your own tissue improves the chances of healing and reduces the risk of infection compared with using donor tissue. Allograft. This procedure involves using bone, tendons and ligaments from a tissue bank or donor to rebuild areas where a chondrosarcoma tumor is removed. Prosthetic implants. Surgeons can replace sections of bone with specialized prosthetic implants. Expandable and solid implants of many different sizes are available.