Cartilaginous tumours of soft tissue

Tumours of soft tissue may manifest cartilaginous differentiation as a primary phenomenon (as in chondromas or extraskeletal myxoid and mesenchymal chondrosarcomas) or as a secondary metaplastic feature (most notably in extraskeletal osteosarcomas or malignant nerve sheath tumours). The literature regarding primary cartilaginous tumours is reviewed and their differential diagnosis discussed. Soft tissue chondromas are noteworthy for their tendency to show significant nuclear pleomorphism. Extraskeletal chondrosarcoma is much rarer than its osseous counterpart, accounting for only 1-2% of soft tissue sarcomas. Virtually all such sarcomas can be classified into the myxoid or mesenchymal subtypes, of which myxoid carries a better prognosis. Soft tissue neoplasms which may show focal cartilaginous metaplasia are covered more briefly.