what is the usual course of chondroblastoma

by Melyssa Runolfsson Sr. 4 min read

What are the key points about chondroblastoma?

Chondroblastoma is a rare type of noncancerous bone tumor that starts from cartilage. It most often affects the ends of the long bones, near the growth plate, in the arms at the shoulder, and in the legs at the hip and knee. It is more common in children and young adults affecting males more than females. The exact cause of chondroblastoma is ...

What is chondroblastoma of the hip?

Chondroblastoma is a rare, non-cancerous tumor that forms on the joint end of bones, commonly on the thigh, upper arm and shin. Chondroblastoma forms in children and young adults and is curable with surgery to remove the tumor.

What is chondroblastoma of the epiphysis?

Chondroblastoma is a rare type of noncancerous bone tumor that starts from cartilage. It most often affects the ends of the long bones, near the growth plate, in the arms at the shoulder, and in the legs at the hip and knee. It is more common in children and young adults and affects males more than females. The exact cause of chondroblastoma is ...

What are the treatment options for chondroblastoma?

Chondroblastoma most often affects the ends of the long bones, near the growth plate, in the arms at the shoulder, and in the legs at the hip and knee. Chondroblastoma is a rare type of bone tumor that can affect people of all ages. It is, however, most common in children and young adults. This type of tumor is also more common in males than females.

Can chondroblastoma be cured?

Chondroblastoma is a rare, non-cancerous tumor that forms on the joint end of bones, commonly on the thigh, upper arm and shin. Chondroblastoma forms in children and young adults and is curable with surgery to remove the tumor.Nov 16, 2021

What is the cause of chondroblastoma?

What causes chondroblastoma? The exact cause of chondroblastoma is not known. The tumors are believed to start from immature cartilage producing cells called chondroblasts.

Can chondroblastoma come back?

Chondroblastomas recur in approximately 10% of patients. The younger the patient, the more likely they are to have a recurrence. If a tumor does recur, it usually does so within a few months to a few years.

Can a chondroblastoma metastasis?

Although a chondroblastoma is considered a benign tumor, it has the potential to spread (metastasize) to the lungs. Metastasis is rare, occurring in less than 1 percent of cases. The tumor can cause pain, inflammation, joint stiffness, limping, and other symptoms.

What is the most common benign bone tumor?

Osteochondromas are the most common, accounting for 30% to 35% of benign bone tumors. Giant cell tumors account for 20%, osteoblastomas for 14%, and osteoid osteomas for 12%. All others are less common. Diagnosis mainly is via imaging; biopsy rarely is required.

Can chondroblastoma become malignant?

Aggressiveness in chondroblastoma can be subdivided into three types; malignant chondroblastoma, benign chondroblastoma with lung metastasis and benign chondroblastoma with subsequent development of high-grade malignancy. Subsequent development of malignancy is common in post-irradiation cases.

Are benign bone tumors painful?

Benign tumors may be painless, but often they cause bone pain. The pain can be severe. Pain may occur when at rest or at night and tends to progressively worsen. (See also Overview of Bone Tumors.

How do you treat chondrosarcoma?

Treatment may include:Surgery. Removal of the tumor. ... Physical therapy. This treatment helps to regain strength and use of the affected area after surgery.Radiation therapy. Radiation might be given at high doses.Chemotherapy.

What does Enchondroma mean?

An enchondroma is a type of noncancerous bone tumor that begins in cartilage. Cartilage is the gristly connective tissue from which most bones develop. Cartilage plays an important role in the growth process. There are many different types of cartilage in the body.

Is a bone cyst a tumor?

A unicameral, or simple, bone cyst is a common, benign (noncancerous) bone tumor that primarily occurs in children and adolescents.

What is clear cell chondrosarcoma?

Clear cell chondrosarcomas are a subtype of chondrosarcoma constituting 1-2% of all chondrosarcomas. They are typically low-grade (see chondrosarcoma grading) and get their name from the presence of clear cell chondrocytes which contain abundant vacuolated cytoplasm due to the presence of glycogen.Sep 14, 2018

Is osteoblastoma benign?

Osteoblastoma is a rare benign bone tumor that accounts for about 1 percent of all primary bone tumors in the United States. It affects twice as many boys as girls. Similar to most primary benign bone tumors, osteoblastoma tends to form in the extremities, however it also often forms in the spine.

What is chondroblastoma?

A chondroblastoma is a rare type of noncancerous bone tumor that begins in cartilage. This is the tough, rubbery connective tissue from which most bones develop. It plays an important role in the growth process. There are many different types of cartilage in the body.

What causes chondroblastoma?

The exact cause of chondroblastoma is not known. The tumors are believed to start from immature cartilage-making cells called chondroblasts.

What are the symptoms of chondroblastoma?

Symptoms of chondroblastoma may vary depending on the location of the tumor. The most common symptoms include:

How is chondroblastoma diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your health history and give you a physical exam. You may also have tests such as:

How is chondroblastoma treated?

The goal for treatment of chondroblastoma is to remove the tumor and prevent damage to the end of the affected bone. Treatment may include:

Key points about chondroblastoma

Chondroblastoma is a rare type of noncancerous bone tumor that starts from cartilage.

Next steps

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What is a chondroblastoma?

Chondroblastomas are made up of mononucleated primitive cells—the chondroblasts—which are polygonal or spindle shaped and osteoclast-like giant cells in a background of chondroid, metachromatic matrix. From: Comprehensive Cytopathology (Third Edition), 2008. Download as PDF.

Where is chondroblastoma found?

Chondroblastoma is a rare benign tumor usually arising in the epiphysis of long bones of skeletally immature patients.

How big is a chondroblastoma lesion?

Typically, the lesion is less than 5 cm in diameter.

What are the rarest neoplasms in bone?

Epithelioid and Epithelial Neoplasms of Bone. Epithelioid and epithelial neoplasms seen in bone are rare and include epithelioid variants of vascular lesions, osteoblastoma, osteosarcoma, chordoma, and chondroblastoma as well as adamantinoma and metastatic carcinoma.

What is an Adamantinoma?

Adamantinoma is an unusual low-grade malignant neoplasm of bone. It most commonly occurs in young people and the vast majority arise in the tibia, with the fibula, or both bones, sometimes affected. 182 This is a lytic lesion that involves the diaphysis of bone and the affected portion of bone appears expanded by the tumor. Positive keratin stains support the epithelial nature of this tumor. The malignant epithelial cells are found in a stroma of fibrous tissue and scattered fibroblasts. The cells are arranged in strands and nests and appear homogeneous with bland nuclei. Squamoid-like nest may be present and can be keratinized. Mesenchyme may also be present. 183 The N/C ratio is high, the nuclear chromatin is rather fine, and nucleoli are not easily found. The clusters of cells may show peripheral palisading ( Fig. 18.46 ). This tumor can be mistaken for a metastatic carcinoma to bone. The bland nuclear appearance and the age of the patient are helpful in ruling out metastases from an unknown primary.

Is osteoarthritis a degenerative condition?

Osteoarthritis (noninflammatory): Primary osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition of the joints characterized by hard tissue abrasion and degradation of the articular surface of the condyle related to overload. This is frequently seen in subjects with a long history of missing teeth or maloccluded dentures.

What mutations are associated with H3.3?

Currently, somatic H3.3 mutations have been found associated with pediatric brain tumors, and five classes of bone and cartilage neoplasms ( Behjati et al., 2013; Gessi et al., 2013; Gielen et al., 2013; Khuong-Quang et al., 2012; Schwartzentruber et al., 2012; Wu et al., 2012a ).

How long does it take for pulmonary metastases to develop?

Pulmonary metastases may be stable or may progress and cause death. Pulmonary metastases have extremely rarely been reported to develop 30 years after initial treatmen.

Can a tumor grow back after surgery?

Microscopic tumor cells can grow back after the tumor is removed. My preferred method is to perform curettage and cryosurgery whenever feasible in appropriate cases in order to help eradicate microscopic disease and decrease the risk of local recurrence (decrease the risk of the tumor coming back in the bone after surgery)

Can a CT scan show calcifications?

Usually radiolucent. May have fine trabeculae and irregular calcifications. Calcifications are often better detected with a CT scan but are not uniformly present. Lesions may expand the bone and new periosteal bone may form. Bony end plate, cortex, bone contour are unaffected.

Is chondroblastoma a growth plate?

In patients who are skeletally immature (still growing) there is always a risk of growth plate failure from the chondroblastoma since it usually grows adjacent to the growth plate and may damage it. CT Guided Radiofrequency Ablation (Minimally Invasive Approach) May be indicated for selected small tumors.

What is the treatment for chondroblastoma?

Treatment aimed at removing the tumor and preventing damage to the end of the affected bone usually involves a surgical procedure, such as: curettage and bone grafting : This is the most common treatment for chondroblastomas.

How long does it take for a cholendroblastoma to return?

Chondroblastomas can return after treatment up to 20 percent of the time. To monitor the possibility of recurrence, we see children for follow-up care after surgery and treatment every three months for the first two years after treatment.

Where do cholendroblastomas occur?

Chondroblastomas most frequently arise in the epiphyses of long bones, with 70% occurring in the humerus (most frequent), femur and tibia 9. Approximately 10% are found in the hands and feet 7 .

What is a codman tumor?

Chondroblastomas also referred as Codman tumors, are rare benign cartilaginous neoplasms that characteristically arise in the epiphysis or apophysis of a long bone in young patients. Despite being rare, they are one of the most frequently encountered benign epiphyseal neoplasms in skeletally immature patients.

What is clinical presentation?

Clinical presentation. Clinical presentation is non-specific and may include joint pain, muscle wasting, tenderness, and swelling/local mass. Chondroblastoma produces prostaglandins, which induce pain; moreover, due to its epiphyseal location, it can trigger synovial reaction 16.

What is differential in anatomy?

The differential is that of other lesions which have a predilection for the epiphysis or apophysis (see differential for an epiphyseal lesion ). Specific lesions to be considered include 10:

What is MRI used for?

MRI is ideal for the evaluation of transphyseal or transcortical extension, and for demonstrating associated surrounding bone marrow and soft tissue edema, which is seen in a large proportion of cases 5,7.

Abstract

Chondroblastoma is a rare benign bone tumor, most often localized in the epiphysis of long bones. We report a case of atraumatic shoulder pain in a 17-year old soccer player.

Discussion

Chondroblastoma is a bone tumor with a prevalence of only 1 to 2% of primary bone tumours [ 2 ]. It was first described as a “giant cell tumor with calcifications” by Kolodny in 1927, next as a “calcifying giant cell tumor” by Ewing in 1928 and as an “epiphyseal chondromatous giant cell tumor” by Codman in 1931 [ 1, 2 ].

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