[Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the mandible]

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is a rare form of chondrosarcoma and mandibular localization is rare.

We report a case of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the mandible in a 23-year-old patient who consulted for a voluminous tumor of the right mandible. Radiological findings suggested a malignant tumor. A hemimandibulectomy and a pelvectomy were performed. The histological assessment showed zones of neoplastic cartilage and small ovoid cells, typical of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma.

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor of skeletal and extra skeletal origin. The most frequent localizations are the femur, the ribs, and facial bones. Histologically, these tumors have a typical biphasic pattern consisting of both small cells and islands of atypical cartilage. Because of its rich vascular component, this lesion has often been confused with hemangiopericytoma. Surgery is the usual treatment. The prognosis is very poor with a high risk of relapse and metastasis.