What is Chondrosarcoma?
Chondrosarcoma is a form of cancer that results from the abnormal cellular growth of the cells responsible for the formation of cartilage in the bones. This particular type of cancer belongs to the classification of soft tissue malignancies, known specifically as sarcomas. Various types of cancer can affect the skeletal system, and an approximation of 30% of all bone cancers are made up of chondrosarcomas, usually affecting the axial skeleton that composes the central region of the body such as the ribcage or the vertebral column. Although the disease can affect virtually any person, regardless of age and gender, it has a greater tendency to develop among the elderly, usually brought about by the natural theory of wear and tear that comes with the process of aging.
The cancer has been found to grow more frequently in the pelvic bones as well as in the bones that make up the shoulder, but does not at all imply that the cancerous growths do not develop in other skeletal areas as chondrosarcomas are capable of occurring in any bone of the body, even occasionally arising in the base of the skull – although such an incidence is rare.
The exact cause of the disease is not yet known and detection of the illness has been found to be difficult since most patients hardly even experience any symptoms. Diagnosis is often accidental in nature but once the cancer is identified, prompt treatment is needed to prevent worsening and metastasis of the cancer.
Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma
Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is a vicious but rare form of bone cancer. It is malignant by nature and is more quick to develop and spread compared to the conventional forms of chondrosarcomas. Most cases of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma develop within the bones of the body, while the remaining third of cases are able to grow outside of the bone structure.
Unlike typical chondrosarcomas, mesenchymal chondrosarcomas are more common in the younger population rather than in the elderly, most usually afflicting patients under the age of 40 years old. It is equally prevalent in both male and females, not showing any affinity for a particular gender.
Expected prognosis for patients suffering from this type of cancer is poor as tumor growth is high grade and metastasis or spread of the cancerous cells can reach the lungs, viscera, and lymph nodes – affecting critical organs required for proper bodily function. Although extremely malignant, this cancer is however rare, accounting for a mere 1% of all sarcomas.
Extraskeletal Myxoid Chondrosarcoma
Another rare type of chondrosarcome is the extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma that is just as able to persist through recurrence and metastasis. This type of chondrosarcoma is set apart by its characteristic growth outside of skeletal structures, appearing in soft tissues situated deep within body cavities such as those in the girdles of the limbs, the thorax, the abdomen, or even the breasts. Most common areas of initial growth include the extremeties as well as in the trunk. It is detected through the presence of bulky masses or swelling that mostly tend to appear in the lower extremities.
This cancer is also aggressive. It is more commonly found in males rather than in females with the incidence rate in males reaching up to two times more than those in females. The cancer is most likely to appear in a patient who is in his or her 40s or 50s.
Chondrosarcoma Symptoms
During the earliest stages of the cancerous growth in cases of chondrosarcoma, patients will hardly even complain of any discomfort or findings that may suggest that an illness has developed. The disease is able to avoid detection until later on in its progression when tumors have grown enough in size to manifest through lumps or swollen areas. Pain is the most distinct feature of the disorder. The following are the specific characteristic symptoms of chondrosarcomas:
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- Severe pain in affected sites
- Appearance of swelling in affected area
- Tenderness in the area of cancerous growth
- Noticeably greater tendency to breaking of bones despite merely mild trauma or minor accidents, especially in bones afflicted with the cancer.
- Change in gait or ability to walk
- Reduced range of motion in affected limbs and joints
Chondrosarcoma Prognosis
Prognosis for patients who suffer from chondrosarcoma will depend on the promptness of detection and treatment, and the extent of the spread of the cancerous growths during the initiation of treatment regimens. The least aggressive form of the disease will usually yield a 90% chance of surviving for approximately five more years after initial diagnosis. Only 25% of the total population of patients with the most vicious forms of the cancer live beyond five years, as metastasis can be aggressive and quickly overwhelm the body’s ability to fight against the malignancies.
Patients who have been deemed free of the tumors are required to consistently followup with their doctors for regular scans and checkups because the recurrence of chondrosarcomas is highly possible.
Chondrosarcoma Treatment
Treatment for chondrosarcomas is extremely specialized because of the rarity of the condition. The treatment for each patient may be different as the course of treatment taken will depend on the location and extent of the cancer as well as the patient’s ability to withstand treatment. Treatments will usually be a combination of various strategic approaches, usually composed of surgical procedures, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Surgical intervention is the hallmark of the treatment scheme for chondrosarcomas as manual removal of the malignant growths is more effective rather than relying on other means.
Surgery for chondrosarcomas used to require the permanent removal of an entire limb affected by the cancer, but modern methods have allowed the possibility of excising the affected area of the bone alone, followed by the replacement of the removed tissue with a prosthetic metal device or through the transfer of a bone from one part of the body to another – a procedure known as a bone graft. Joint affectation can be helped by removing the affected join and replacing it with a synthetic joint to allow retention of the use of skeletal structure.
In serious cases wherein the cancer has spread beyond the bone and has reached muscular tissue, blood vessels, or peripheral nerves, amputation may be the final resort.
Chemotherapy is not generally used for chondrosarcoma but it can be useful for some cases. The treatment is used for allaying the uncomfortable symptoms but treatment itself may actually be accompanied by side effects. The same is the case of radiotherapy for chondrosarcoma. It is only most useful for mild cases as radiotherapy makes use of radioactive energy to reach cancer cells within the body. Side effects are also common after receiving radiotherapy, such as nausea and fatigue.
Survival rate
The possibility of long-term survival for patients with chondrosarcoma depends on the size, location, and stage of the tumor once a definitive diagnosis has been made. If the cancer is treated through aggressive methods that allow complete removal of tumors, the chances of long-term survival will usually reach around 50% to 75%. Treated cases of low grade chondrosarcoma will have better chances at survival compared to high grade tumors.
If the chondrosarcoma is detected early enough before it is able to spread and affect other organs, there is 90% chance of survival for a total period of 5 years. Once metastasis has occurred however, survival through the cancer is reduced to a mere 43%.
