Understanding Chondrosarcoma Cancbloer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Chondrosarcoma, a rare form of cancer originating in the bones, poses significant challenges for diagnosis and treatment due to its complex nature.
While relatively uncommon compared to other types of cancer, it’s crucial to be aware of the signs and potential treatment paths.
In this blog, we will delve into chondrosarcoma cancer, shedding light on causes, symptoms, diagnosis as well as treatment.
What is Chondrosarcoma Cancer?
Chondrosarcoma is categorized as a rare form of bone cancer that develops in cartilage cells. Cartilage is the soft connective tissue that facilitates movement between your bones and joints.
Chondrosarcoma cancer can develop in any bone in the body, but it most commonly occurs in the bones of the pelvis, thigh, upper arm, shoulder, and ribs.
What are Chondrosarcoma Cancer Symptoms?
During the initial stages, chondrosarcoma may not exhibit any symptoms, and the tumour may be detected incidentally during imaging examinations for unrelated medical issues. However, symptoms may arise as the tumour expands or impacts adjacent tissues.
Some common chondrosarcoma symptoms include:
- Pain in the bone
- Large lump on the bone
- Growing lump or area of swelling
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Joint stiffness and limited movement
- Bowel or bladder control problems
- Unintentional weight loss
What are the Causes of Chondrosarcoma Cancer?
While the precise cause of chondrosarcoma remains unclear, several factors may play a role in its onset:
- Increasing age: Chondrosarcoma mostly affects middle-aged and elderly individuals, though it can occur at any age.
- Enchondromas: A type of benign bone tumour that begins from cartilage and usually affects the hands and can also affect other areas.
- Ollier disease: A cluster of enchondromas, usually benign cartilage tumours that usually affect the hands and cause severe bone deformities.
- Multiple exostoses (osteochondromas): This condition involves the development of numerous osteochondromas, characterized by excessive cartilage and bone growth near the growth plate’s end.
- Maffucci syndrome: It causes many enchondromas that usually affect the hands and feet and benign tumours made up of blood vessels. It increases the risk of chondrosarcoma and other types of cancer.
How is Chondrosarcoma Diagnosed?
Diagnosing chondrosarcoma typically involves a combination of medical history assessment, physical examination, imaging studies, and biopsy. Here’s an overview of the chondrosarcoma diagnosis process:
- Medical history and physical examination: Dr Taj will conduct a thorough review of your medical history, including any symptoms you may be experiencing, and a physical exam will be conducted to detect signs of chondrosarcoma.
- Imaging studies: Imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, PET scans, and MRI scans are essential for assessing the size, location, as well as extent of the tumour.
- Biopsy: The definitive diagnostic procedure for bone cancer chondrosarcoma involves a biopsy. During the biopsy, a tissue sample is removed from the suspected tumour site and examined under a microscope by a pathologist to look for cancerous cells.
What are Chondrosarcoma Stages?
Stage | Description |
1 | The tumour is localized within the bone and has not spread and extended to nearby tissues or lymph nodes. |
2 | The tumour has grown larger and may involve adjacent tissues but hasn’t spread to lymph nodes or distant sites. |
3 | Indicates a more advanced tumour that may have spread to nearby lymph nodes but not reached distant sites. |
4 | This signifies metastasis to distant organs, with Stage IVA indicating spread to the lungs and Stage IVB indicating spread to other organs. |
What are Different Chondrosarcoma Treatment Options?
The type of chondrosarcoma treatment depends on the position, size, spread, grade of the cancer and your general health.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams from X-rays and protons to kill cancer cells. Throughout the procedure, you lie on a table while a machine moves around you, delivering radiation to targeted areas of your body.
Radiation therapy might be recommended for chondrosarcomas located in challenging surgical locations or when complete removal during surgery is not feasible. Additionally, it might be utilized to manage cancer that has spread to other body regions.
Surgery
Chondrosarcoma surgery aims to remove the cancerous tissue along a margin of healthy tissue surrounding it. The location of the chondrosarcoma determines the specific surgical approach chosen may involve either
- Scraping the cancer away from the bone.
- Cutting away the tumour and some healthy tissue around it.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy for chondrosarcoma is a treatment option primarily reserved for advanced cases or when the cancer has spread.
While it’s not typically used due to its limited efficacy against this type of cancer, it may be employed alongside surgery or radiation to target metastatic or recurrent tumours and enhance overall treatment outcomes.
For Chondrosarcoma Treatment, Consult with Dr Taj Chowdhry
For personalized guidance on chondrosarcoma treatment, consult Dr Taj Chowdhry, leveraging over 15 years of invaluable clinical expertise. With Dr Taj’s guidance, you can confidently navigate treatment decisions, knowing you’re in experienced hands.
Schedule your consultation today to begin on the path towards healing and recovery.
FAQs
The four main types of chondrosarcoma include conventional, clear cell, dedifferentiated, and mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. Conventional chondrosarcoma is further subdivided into the periosteal, peripheral and central chondrosarcoma.
The most common type of cancerous chest wall tumours in adults includes chondrosarcoma, metastatic cancer and osteosarcoma.
Chest wall reconstruction may be necessary for chondrosarcoma patients when the tumour involves significant portions of the chest wall, resulting in structural instability or functional impairment. It is often performed after surgical resection of the tumour.
