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Chondrosarcoma of the spine
T C Shives1, R A McLeod, K K Unni
1Department of Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905.
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume
|September 1, 1989
Summary
Chondrosarcoma of the spine is a rare bone cancer. Surgical treatment offers a 55% five-year survival rate, but local progression remains a challenge.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Oncology
- Spinal Surgery
- Bone Tumors
Background:
- Chondrosarcoma of the spine is a rare but aggressive bone malignancy.
- Early symptoms often include localized pain and palpable masses.
- Neurological deficits can occur due to tumor compression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes of spinal chondrosarcoma.
- To evaluate the efficacy of surgical management and adjuvant therapies.
- To highlight diagnostic imaging and surgical considerations for this rare tumor.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of twenty patients with spinal chondrosarcoma treated surgically.
- Surgical biopsy, often with decompressive laminectomy, was performed on all patients.
- Postoperative imaging (CT, MRI) and arteriography were used for preoperative assessment.
Main Results:
- The median age of patients was not specified, with a range from 18 to 70 years.
- Pain was the predominant initial symptom; nearly half had a detectable mass.
- The five-year survival rate was 55%, with a median survival of six years; local progression was the primary cause of mortality.
Conclusions:
- Spinal chondrosarcoma, though rare, is identifiable on radiographs and requires advanced imaging for precise staging.
- Surgical ablation is the primary treatment, though technically challenging; wide excision should be prioritized.
- Postoperative radiation therapy may be considered when complete surgical resection is not achievable.