A case of metacarpal chondrosarcoma of the thumb

Enchondroma is the most common primary benign bone tumor of the hand. Chondrosarcomas in this location, however, are extremely rare. It often is difficult to make a histological distinction between benign cartilaginous tumors and low-grade chondrosarcomas, because enchondromas at this site often show histological features suggestive of malignancy. However, distinguishing the two conditions is clinically relevant because chondrosarcomas of the hand require prompt and more radical treatments such as ray amputations. On the other hand, Mankin has recently given attention to a less aggressive behavior of chondrosarcomas of the phalanges compared with those of other locations. And also, ray amputation does not cause much functional deficit in the finger but does for the thumb. This is a case report of chondrosarcoma affecting the metacarcal bone of the thumb, treated by en block resection and preserving the function of the thumb by bone graft reconstruction, with reference to the literature.