Do you have a long-standing pain or a lump in a bone or joint in your body, especially in your arm, leg, hip, or chest? Does this pain sometimes seem to get worse at night? If so, this article will be very important for you. Today we are going to talk about a very rare, but worth knowing about, type of bone cancer. That is chondrosarcoma.
What is Chondrosarcoma?
Simply put, Chondrosarcoma is a type of cancer that develops in the cartilage in our bodies. Do you know what cartilage is? Cartilage is a flexible, strong tissue that surrounds our joints and prevents bones from rubbing against each other. It's like rubber. This cartilage protects our joints and helps bones grow.
So, this chondrosarcoma cancer can develop anywhere in our body where there is cartilage. But it is most commonly seen in:
- In the arms and shoulder blades.
- In the legs.
- In the pelvis.
- In the ribs of the chest.
- The bone in the middle of the chest cavity (sternum).
Sometimes, even previously non-cancerous (benign) bone tumors can later become cancerous and turn into chondrosarcoma.
This is actually a very rare cancer . According to statistics in the United States, it occurs in about one in 200,000 people. Although it can occur at any age, it is most common in people between the ages of 40 and 75. The average age of diagnosis is around 51. The main treatment for this is surgery to remove the cancerous cartilage and bone. Doctors sometimes call this condition sarcoma.
Are there types of chondrosarcoma?
Yes, there are different types of chondrosarcoma. These cancers that form in cartilage are classified based on the cells that make up the tumor. Let's look at the main types.
Conventional Chondrosarcoma
This is the most common type . It accounts for more than 85% of all chondrosarcomas. It usually occurs in people between the ages of 50 and 70. It most commonly occurs in the femur, humerus, and pelvis. This type of tumor grows very slowly and is less likely to metastasize.
Dedifferentiated Chondrosarcoma
This type accounts for about 10% of all chondrosarcomas. It is most common in people over the age of 60. It grows faster than other types. These fast-growing tumors usually develop in the upper arm bone (humerus), thigh bone (femur), or pelvic bones.
It is called 'dedifferentiated' because some of the cells start out as normal chondrosarcoma cells, but later some parts of the tumor change into high-grade sarcoma cells. High-grade sarcomas are cancers that grow and spread quickly. Examples include osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma.
Clear Cell Chondrosarcoma
This accounts for about 2% of all chondrosarcomas. It usually occurs in people between the ages of 30 and 50, but can also occur in people in their twenties. It is most common in the hands or feet, near a joint. It grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma
This type is most common in young people between the ages of 19 and 30. It most often develops in the spine, ribs, or jaw. This type grows faster than other types and is more likely to spread and recur after treatment.
Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma is a type of mesenchymal cancer. It develops in the soft tissue, not the bone or cartilage, of the upper arms and legs.
What are the symptoms of Chondrosarcoma?
Because most chondrosarcoma tumors grow slowly, it can take months for symptoms to appear. The most common symptoms are:
- Bone pain in a specific part of the body that comes and goes, especially at night.
- A lump or lump that feels like a lump in a bone, such as an arm, leg, or rib.
- Fatigue .
- Unintentional weight loss .
But it's important to remember this: Bone cancer is very rare. Many of the symptoms of chondrosarcoma are similar to those of less serious conditions. So just because you have a lump in your leg doesn't necessarily mean it's bone cancer.
However, if you have a lump that doesn't go away for more than two weeks, or if you feel extremely tired all the time, you should definitely see a doctor . He or she will examine your overall health and determine the cause of these symptoms.
What are the causes of Chondrosarcoma?
Researchers still don't know the exact cause of this condition, but they have found that it is linked to certain genetic disorders. These include:
- Li Fraumeni syndrome: People with this condition are more likely to develop cancerous tumors, including chondrosarcoma.
- Maffucci syndrome and Ollier's disease: These diseases cause noncancerous tumors to form in the cartilage, bone, and skin.
- Hereditary multiple osteochondromas: These are multiple, noncancerous tumors that form in the bones. They can interfere with bone growth.
In some cases, pathologists who study the genetic changes in chondrosarcoma think that non-inherited chromosomal changes or certain genetic mutations may be causing the cartilage cells to change.
What are the complications of this condition?
Fast-growing types, such as Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma or Dedifferentiated Chondrosarcoma, can be life-threatening because they can spread quickly and affect other parts of the body.
How is Chondrosarcoma diagnosed?
A doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms. For example:
- When did you first notice these symptoms?
- Did they become more and more numerous?
- How do they affect your daily life?
Then he or she will do a physical exam and may also order imaging tests or a biopsy.
Imaging tests
Doctors use imaging tests like these to diagnose chondrosarcoma:
- X-ray tests.
- CT scan `(Computed tomography (CT) scan)`.
- MRI scan `(Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan)`.
- PET scan `(Positron emission tomography (PET) scan)`.
- Bone scan.
Biopsy
Your doctor may refer you to an orthopedist, a surgeon who diagnoses and treats diseases such as bone cancer, for a biopsy. There, a pathologist takes a piece of tissue from the suspicious lump and examines it under a microscope. There are several types of biopsy:
- Fine-needle aspiration : This involves taking a tissue sample using a needle and syringe.
- Incisional biopsy: The tumor is cut open and a tissue sample is taken.
- Excisional biopsy: The entire tumor or a portion of tissue is removed.
The pathologist examines this tissue sample to see if there are any cancer cells. If the cells are cancerous, he or she will also determine the type of tumor and the tumor grade.
What are the grades of Chondrosarcoma?
The grade of a tumor is a measure of how quickly a tumor is likely to grow and spread. Chondrosarcoma is graded from 1 (I) to 3 (III):
- Low-grade (grade I) chondrosarcomas: These are also called atypical cartilaginous tumors. These are the slowest growing and have the least chance of spreading.
- Intermediate-grade (grade II) chondrosarcomas: These are slightly more likely to spread.
- High-grade (grade III) chondrosarcomas: These are the most likely to spread .
What are the treatments for Chondrosarcoma?
Most of the time, you will need surgery to remove chondrosarcoma. The type of surgery you have will depend on your condition. This includes the type of chondrosarcoma you have, where the tumor is located, and its grade (how quickly it has spread). There are several types of surgery for chondrosarcoma:
- Curettage: In this procedure, the doctor scrapes away the cancerous tissue from the bone and inserts a bone graft material into the space.
- Limb-sparing surgery: Here, the doctor removes the tumor and the surrounding bone and muscle. Then, reconstructive surgery is performed to replace the removed bone and tissue.
Very rarely, your orthopedist may recommend surgery to remove part of your arm or leg (amputation). In this case, they may also recommend the use of a prosthetic limb. In all cases, you will need physical therapy to improve your strength, balance, and mobility.
If you have a rare type of chondrosarcoma, such as dedifferentiated or mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, you may be given chemotherapy or radiation therapy to shrink the tumor before surgery and to destroy any remaining cancer cells after surgery.
Can Chondrosarcoma be prevented?
Not really, these are not preventable. One reason is that researchers still don't know exactly why they develop. But research shows that people with certain hereditary conditions are at higher risk of developing chondrosarcoma. So talk to your doctor about your family's medical history. He or she can assess your risk and recommend steps to monitor your health.
What can I expect with this situation?
Because there are several types of chondrosarcoma, the expected outcomes (prognoses) vary depending on the type. Ask your doctor what you can expect based on your specific condition. He or she will be happy to explain this to you.
Can Chondrosarcoma be cured?
In some cases, very small, slow-growing conventional chondrosarcoma tumors can be completely cured by surgically removing them. Depending on the type of chondrosarcoma, adding chemotherapy may also help cure the disease.
What is the cure rate for Chondrosarcoma?
Survival rates for chondrosarcoma vary depending on the type of tumor and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. Overall, 79% of people with chondrosarcoma are alive five years after diagnosis.
When thinking about these percentages, keep a few things in mind:
- Recovery rates are estimates, not predictions . They are estimates based on the experiences of others, and your situation may be much different.
- These estimates are based on what happened in the past . For example, these percentages are based on what happened to people who developed chondrosarcoma between 2012 and 2018.
- Survival rates don't tell you how long you will live .
If you have questions or concerns about what a cure rate means for your condition, ask your doctor to explain how that estimate applies to your condition.
If I have Chondrosarcoma, how do I take care of myself?
Living with chondrosarcoma usually begins with recovery from treatment. Chondrosarcoma is often treated with surgery. Sometimes, a limb or part of a limb may need to be removed to remove the cancer. After recovery from surgery, if you are using a prosthetic limb, you will need to begin a rehabilitation program to get used to it.
You may also need help adjusting to changes in your daily life or changes in your appearance. Your doctor may suggest physical, occupational or mental health therapies that can help you manage these challenges.
When should I see the doctor?
Ask your doctor about physical changes that might indicate a return of cancer, and when to contact your doctor if they occur.
What questions should I ask the doctor about my diagnosis?
Here are some questions you can ask your doctor:
- What type of Chondrosarcoma do I have?
- What treatments do you recommend?
- Why do you recommend that treatment?
- What are the side effects of the treatment?
- What are the results of these treatments?
- If I take the recommended treatment, can my chondrosarcoma come back?
What is the difference between Chondrosarcoma and Osteosarcoma?
Osteosarcoma starts in the bones and usually occurs in children. Chondrosarcoma starts in the cartilage and usually occurs in adults. Doctors can only perform surgery for chondrosarcoma, but for osteosarcoma, they use both chemotherapy and surgery.
Finally, an important message
Diagnosis of this rare bone cancer, called chondrosarcoma, can be the first step in a long journey of recovery. That journey often begins with surgery to remove the cancer, followed by rehabilitation to recover from surgery and other treatments.
Although this cancer can be successfully treated, it will change your life. You may need help to cope with the physical and emotional challenges. Talk to your doctor about the challenges you are facing. Your doctor and his team understand what you are going through. As you begin this journey, they will be with you every step of the way. Never give up hope!
` Chondrosarcoma, bone cancer, cartilage cancer, joint pain, bone tumors, cancer treatment, surgery
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න