[Chondrosarcoma of the rib with pleural dissemination]

A 52-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of abnormal shadow of the left lung. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a 10.0 x 6.6 cm mass arising from the left chest wall. The diagnosis of grade II chondrosarcoma was made with CT guided percutaneous needle biopsy. At operation, the irregularly-shaped tumor was arising from the 7th rib. Chest wall resection and partial resection of the left lower lobe including the tumor was performed. Multiple miliary disseminations were noted on the pleura and complete removal of these miliary lesions was impossible. Adjuvant chemotherapy using OK-432, carboplatin and etoposide was tried as treatment for pleural dissemination. No signs of disease progression have been seen as of 12 months after the operation. Radical excision of chondrosarcoma of the rib including all pleural dissemination is difficult. Multidisciplinary approach including resection of a primary tumor has potential to improve prognosis in some cell types. And long term follow-up is necessary to determine effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy in this case.