[Chondroma of the nose and paranasal sinuses and its clinical characteristics]

Typical clinical features of nasal and paranasal sinus chondromas are discussed having in view 12 history cases. The authors give support to the concept that benign chondroma may transform to malignant neoplasm. Tumor relapses may occur if surgical intervention fails due to morphological abnormalities of the tumor. The tumor consists of lobules that may grow beyond the primary connective tissue capsule penetrating complex structures of the skull. Patients with nasal and paranasal chondromas need early and radical operation and a close follow-up with the purpose of detecting minor signs of recurrences and performing, if necessary, repeated operations until the tumor becomes incurable.