Description

Chondrosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that usually begins in the bones, but can sometimes occur in the soft tissue near bones. Chondrosarcoma occurs most often in the pelvis, the hip and the shoulder. More rarely, it can occur in the bones of the spine.

The majority of chondrosarcomas grow slowly and may not cause many signs and symptoms in the beginning. Some rare types, they grow quickly and have a high risk of spread to other areas of the body, what can make these kinds of difficult cancer to treat.

Chondrosarcoma treatment usually consists of surgery. Other options may include radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Symptoms

Chondrosarcoma tends to grow slowly, so it may not cause signs and symptoms in the beginning. When they do occur, signs and symptoms of chondrosarcoma may include:

  • Increased pain
  • A growing lump or area of inflammation
  • Weakness or bowel and bladder control problems, if the cancer presses on the spinal cord

Causes

It is not clear what causes chondrosarcoma. Doctors know that cancer begins when a cell develops changes (mutations) in the DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell you what to do. The instructions that tell the cell to multiply rapidly and to continue living when healthy cells would die. The accumulation of cells that form a tumor that can invade and destroy normal body tissue. At the time, cells can break away and spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase the risk of chondrosarcoma include:

  • The increase of the age. Chondrosarcoma occurs more frequently in people of middle age and older adults, though it can occur at any age.
  • Other diseases of the bones. Ollier's disease and Maffucci syndrome are conditions that cause benign bone growths (enchondroma) in the body. These growths are sometimes transformed into chondrosarcoma.

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose chondrosarcoma include:

  • Physical exam. Your doctor may ask you about your signs and symptoms and examine your body to collect more clues about your diagnosis.
  • Imaging tests. Imaging tests may include X-rays, bone scan, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography.
  • The removal of a sample of tissue for testing (biopsy).The biopsy is a procedure to collect suspect tissue. The tissue is sent to a lab where the doctors analyze to determine if it is cancer. How the biopsy sample is collected depends on where the suspect tissue is located. The procedure requires careful planning so that the biopsy is done in a way that does not interfere with the future of surgery to remove the cancer. For this reason, ask your doctor for a referral to a team of experts with experience in the treatment of chondrosarcoma.

The removal of a sample of tissue for testing (biopsy). The biopsy is a procedure to collect suspect tissue. The tissue is sent to a lab where the doctors analyze to determine if it is cancer.

How the biopsy sample is collected depends on where the suspect tissue is located. The procedure requires careful planning so that the biopsy is done in a way that does not interfere with the future of surgery to remove the cancer. For this reason, ask your doctor for a referral to a team of experts with experience in the treatment of chondrosarcoma.

Treatment

Chondrosarcoma treatment often involves surgery to remove the cancer. Other treatments may be recommended in certain situations. What are the best options for you depends on where your cancer is located, how fast it is growing, if it has grown to involve other structures, your general state of health and your preferences.

Surgery

The goal of surgery for chondrosarcoma is to remove the cancer and a margin of healthy tissue that surrounds it. The type of surgery you undergo will depend on the location of your chondrosarcoma. The options may include:

  • Scrape the cancer away from the bone. Small and slow-growing chondrosarcomas in the arms and the legs are sometimes treated with a procedure to scrape the cancer cells from the bone. The surgeon may apply a cold gas or a chemical to kill cancer cells that remain. The bone can be repaired with a bone graft or bone cement if necessary.
  • Cut out the cancer and some healthy tissue around it. The majority of chondrosarcomas require a procedure to cut more of the bone in order to remove all of the cancer. Chondrosarcoma in an arm or a leg, it may be necessary to remove the entire limb. When possible, surgeons remove the cancer in a way that preserves the limb. For example, the surgeon may remove the affected bone and replace or rebuild (limb salvage surgery).

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams from sources such as X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells. During radiation therapy, you lie on a table while a machine moves around you, directing the radiation to precise points on your body.

The radiation may be recommended for chondrosarcomas are located in places that make the surgery is complicated, or if the cancer cannot be completely removed during surgery. The radiation can also be used to control the cancer that spreads to other areas of the body.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. It is not often used for chondrosarcoma because this type of cancer often does not respond to chemotherapy. But some of the fast growth of the types of chondrosarcoma may respond to this treatment.

Coping and support

A cancer diagnosis can change your life forever. Each person finds his own way to deal with the emotional and physical changes cancer brings. But when you're first diagnosed with cancer, it is sometimes difficult to know what to do next.

Here are some ideas to help you cope:

  • Learn enough about cancer to make decisions about your care. Ask your doctor about your cancer, including treatment options and, if you like, your prognosis. As you learn more about cancer, you can be more confident in making treatment choices.
  • Keep friends and family close. Keep your close relationships strong will help you deal with your cancer. Friends and family can provide the practical support you need, such as help to take care of your house if you're in the hospital. And that you can serve as emotional support when you feel overwhelmed by the cancer.
  • Find someone to talk to. Find a good listener who is willing to listen to you talk about your hopes and fears. This can be a friend or family member. The concern and understanding of a counselor, medical social worker, clergy member or cancer support group may also be useful.

Preparing for your appointment

Start by seeing your family doctor if you have any of the signs or symptoms that worry you. If your doctor determines that you have cancer, you probably refers to one or more specialists, such as physicians who treat cancer (oncologists) and surgeons.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there is anything that you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Write down your family history of cancer. If other members of your family has been diagnosed with cancer, make a note of the types of cancer, as each person is related to you and the age of the person I was when diagnosed.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
  • Consider the possibility of a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write questions to ask their doctor.

Prepare a list of questions in advance can help you make the most of your time with your doctor. A list of questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For cancer, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What type of cancer do I have?
  • Will I need additional tests?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • Can treatments to cure my cancer?
  • If my cancer can't be cured, what can I expect from treatment?
  • What are the possible side effects of each treatment?
  • There is a treatment that you feel is best for me?
  • How much time do I need to start treatment?
  • How will the treatment affect my daily life?
  • I can continue to work during treatment?
  • There are clinical trials or experimental treatments are available to me?
  • I have these other health conditions. How can I manage them during my cancer treatment?
  • Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
  • You should see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?
  • What is going to determine whether I should plan for follow-up visits?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, do not hesitate to ask other questions that occur to you.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you a series of questions. Be ready to answer them may allow time later to cover other points you want to address. Your doctor may ask:

  • When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • Does anyone in your family have cancer?
  • Have you ever had cancer before? If so, what type and how is it treated?
Symptoms and treatment of Chondrosarcoma