Chondrosarcoma of the bones of the feet

Twelve chondrosarcomas of the bones of the feet from 11 patients in the Scottish Bone Tumor Registry were reviewed. One patient with diaphyseal aclasis (osteochondromatosis) developed 2 chondrosarcomas. The mean age of patients was 52.3 years (range, 17 to 83 years). Men were predominantly affected. Four tumors affected the tarsal bones; the rest involved the short tubular bones. The usual clinical presentation was a painful, progressively enlarging swelling. Radiologically, most showed some bone expansion, cortical destruction with indistinct margins, and soft-tissue extension. Histologically, the majority were middle-grade tumors. Treatment included curettage or local excision for 4 tumors and amputation or ray resection for 8 tumors. Follow-up varied from 6 months to 18 years (average, 5.8 years). Local recurrence after surgery was seen in 3 patients. All 3 died because of metastases to the lungs or brain.