bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Primary Cancerous Bone Tumors
Chondrosarcomas
Chondrosarcomas are tumors composed of cancerous cartilage cells. These tumors tend to occur in older adults. These tumors often develop in bones such as the pelvis or shoulder blade (scapula) but can develop in any portion of any bone and can also develop in the tissues surrounding the bones. Many chondrosarcomas are slow-growing or low-grade tumors, meaning that they are less likely to spread (metastasize) than some other tumors. However, some chondrosarcomas are fast-growing or high-grade tumors, which tend to metastasize. To diagnose chondrosarcomas, doctors take X-rays and do a Low-grade chondrosarcomas are often removed from the bone by scraping it with a scoop-shaped instrument (curettage) and by using liquid nitrogen,phenol, bone cement (methyl methacrylate), or an argon beam to kill the surface tumor cells embedded in the bone. Nearly all low-grade tumors are cured with these surgical treatments. High-grade or fast-growing chondrosarcomas are aggressive tumors and are more likely to metastasize than some other tumors. They must be completely removed surgically without cutting into the tumor, which risks spilling the tumor cells. If the cells spill, the cancer can return. Chondrosarcomas of any grade do not respond to chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Surgical removal of the affected arm or leg (amputation) is rarely necessary. 